Burma Campaign UK today welcomed British Prime Minister David Cameron raising the situation in Burma during his meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. In a written Parliamentary answer, the Prime Minister has also pledged to discuss the situation in Burma with US President Barack Obama.
Burma Campaign UK has been calling on the Prime Minister to take the lead in mobilising world leaders to support a revived UN-led initiative to persuade Burma’s generals to enter into dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic groups. In August Burma Campaign UK delivered to the Prime Minister 1,600 letters from supporters, calling on the Prime Minister to take the lead on Burma.
“We are very pleased to see that the Prime Minister is raising the situation in Burma with fellow world leaders,” said Zoya Phan, International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK. Zoya Phan has twice addressed the Conservative Party annual conference, and met David Cameron while he was opposition leader. “It is important that Burma is discussed at the highest level, as we know from experience that delegating action on Burma to envoys is not effective, as the dictatorship do not respect them. As expected Burma’s elections were a total sham which will bring no real improvement in the country. World leaders must now unite and support UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in securing dialogue which leads to genuine change.”
Prime Minister David Cameron has raised Burma despite stating that trade was his top priority for his visit to China. In an 8th November written answer to a question by Jeremy Corbyn MP, the Prime Minister stated: “I look forward to discussing Burma with President Obama. I know that he shares my concern about the situation there. US and UK officials are in regular and close contact in Washington, including with the White House, and on the ground in Burma…. We will continue to work closely with the US in our efforts to bring positive change to Burma.”