William Hague warns against swift removal of Burma sanctions

THE FOREIGN Secretary has warned against rushing to lift sanctions against Burma despite a “very important process of change” in the country.

• Foreign Secretary says Britain advocates suspension of sanctions

• Aung San Suu Kyi boycotts new Burmese parliament

• Hague voices concerns over issues including ethnic conflict and political prisoners

William Hague was speaking at talks in Luxembourg as the beacon of Burmese change - Aung San Suu Kyi - boycotted the opening of the new parliament in a dispute highlighting daily difficulties on the path to democratic reform.

Mr Hague said that was why suspending, rather than removing, current EU sanctions against Burma was the right thing to do.

“A very important process of change is taking place in Burma,” he said on arrival for talks with fellow EU foreign ministers.

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“The UK has advocated the suspension of sanctions rather than complete lifting of them.

“That is the right thing to do - great progress is being made (towards opening up Burma), but we remain concerned about ethnic conflict, political prisoners, and the swearing-in of opposition members of parliament.”

Earlier Ms Suu Kyi and other elected members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party boycotted the opening of parliament in protest at a requirement to sign an oath to “safeguard” the Burmese constitution - a constitution the NLD wants to change.