FED: Aust calls in Burmese ambassador, supports global arms ban

AAP General News (Australia)
08-12-2009
FED: Aust calls in Burmese ambassador, supports global arms ban

By Julian Drape

CANBERRA, Aug 12 AAP - The Australian government has called in the Burmese ambassador
to protest the ongoing detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi following her
conviction and sentence on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says Canberra will also support calls for a United Nations
global arms embargo against Burma.

Ms Suu Kyi was sentenced to three years jail but the ruling junta signed an order commuting
the term to 18 months house arrest.

She was charged following an incident in which an American man swam to her lakeside
residence in May.

Mr Smith said Australia condemned the conviction and called for Ms Suu Kyi's release.

"On my instruction today the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade called in the
Burmese ambassador, at lunchtime, and relayed these strong messages on behalf of the Australian
government and the Australian people," he told parliament.

"Our ambassador in Burma is doing likewise."

Mr Smith said he would contact his Thai counterpart, chair of the Association of South-East
Asian Nations (ASEAN), to discuss action the international community could take.

The government will review existing autonomous financial sanctions which target senior
members of the regime, their associates and family members, and consider including senior
members of the judiciary, he said.

Australia has maintained its own ban on defence exports to Burma since 1991.

Mr Smith said the government would now support a global arms ban.

"Australia would support any action before the Security Council to place a global arms
embargo on Burma as urged by United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown."

The Australian Greens welcomed the news Labor was apparently working with other countries
to impose a global arms embargo on Burma.

"Answering on behalf of the foreign minister, Senator John Faulkner stated (in the
Senate) that the government was working with other governments to advance the global embargo
through the UN Security Council," West Australian senator Scott Ludlam said in a statement.

"This is the first time we have heard the Rudd government say it will take the crucial
step towards protecting the oppressed people of Burma by imposing a global arms embargo
on the regime."

AAP jcd/sb/ash

KEYWORD: BURMA SMITH

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