From The Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs

3 November 2003

To the Elected Representatives Of 1990 Elections

Thank you for your letter of 27 September to the Prime Minister. I am replying as Foreign Office Minister responsible for the UK's relations with Burma.

I have long been concerned about the terrible suffering in your country, which has worsened since the events of 30 May at Depayin. I have repeatedly called on the SPDC to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and your NLD colleagues and to reopen all the party's offices. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release from detention to house arrest on 26 September was small step forward. But the regime must go much further and engage in genuine dialogue with all political parties and ethnic groups, to reach national reconciliation. We are closely monitoring the SPDC's moves to re-establish the National Convention, how they implement their proposed Road Map, and the increased activities of the USDA.

The UK is firmly committed to help encourage lasting, substantive political change in Burma. We share your dream of an open, united, prosperous, democratic Burma, in which the rights of all people are respected, and where the resources of the country are used for the equal benefit of all its citizens.

I welcome your encouragement for our efforts to persuade the military regime that change is in the best interests of all the people of Burma.

Your brave and heroic battle against a corrupt and oppressive regime has received widespread support in Parliament and from the British people. Your courage has shown the military regime that the results of the 1990 election remain the true reflection of the will of the people.

Like you, I recognise that the regime's commitment to the basic human rights of the Burmese people is a disgrace. With our EU partners we are currently preparing a strong resolution on Burma which will be presented to the United Nations General Assembly in the near future. This will address the human rights abuses in Burma and the regime's lack of commitment to genuine dialogue and a proper transition to democracy. I strongly believe that the UN has an important role to play in Burma, and fully support the work of the UN Secretary General's Special Representative to Burma, Tan Sri Ismail Razali.

Rest assured that the British government will continue to use all available means to encourage the regime towards the path of national reconciliation and the restoration of the human rights that have been denied the people of Burma for so long.

Yours sincerely,

Mike