Australia marks anniversary of Burma crackdown with smiles and handshakes System

Australia's newly appointed Ambassador is to present his diplomatic credentials to Burma's military regime in Rangoon today - the 15th anniversary of the 1988 brutal crackdown on the democracy movement.

Australia's newly appointed Ambassador, Mr Paul Grigson, is to present his diplomatic credentials to Burma's military regime in Rangoon today, 8th August - the 15th anniversary of the 1988 brutal crackdown on the democracy movement.

The irony of Australia's foreign policy, that purports to prioritise human rights and democracy in Burma, will be embarrassed by its timing and lack of sensitivity to the ongoing suffering of the people of Burma. When the US has brought down its toughest sanctions in protest against the regime's treatment of the democracy movement and its detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, and ASEAN has sought to finally speak out publicly for political change, Australia has yet again misjudged its opportunity to influence positive change.

On this important anniversary, it may be that the military's mouthpiece, the New Light of Myanmar newspaper, will be showing the Australian government's new representative smiling and shaking hands with the generals.

As Aung San Suu Kyi remains in detention, the military continues to impose forced labour on millions of ordinary people and Burma faces a humanitarian crisis, Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA calls on the Australian government to announce an end to the currently suspended program of human rights workshops. Further, we call on the government to work with the office of UN Special Rapporteur Razali to ensure UN action at the highest possible level and to ensure that Australia's diplomatic efforts, in coordination with the international community, effectively lead to the resumption of dialogue for political change in Burma.

enquiries: Peter Jennings, Executive Officer 0409 047 353

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Last Modified: Wednesday, 16-Nov-2005 16:05:18 EST
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