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| Rt Hon Hugo Swire MP (Photo - British Embassy Rangoon) |
December 15, 2012
Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire led a trade mission to Burma earlier
this week. This is a transcript of the speech that was given by the
Minister at the conclusion of his visit.
First of all I would like to thank the people of this beautiful country
for the very warm welcome I have received here. I have been touched by
their remarkable kindness and courtesy.
In the past few days I have met leading ministers, civil society and
business leaders who have been eager to share with me their aspirations
for the future.
With the Government I discussed a full range of issues. I welcomed their
efforts on ethnic reconciliation, but registered my serious concerns
about the ongoing situation in Kachin urging the government to take all
necessary measures to stabilise conditions there and insure the safety
of civilians. We continue to urge both sides to bring an end to the
conflict.
I raised my serious concerns about the situation in Rakhine State, which
I visited this morning, and where thousands of people have displaced by
violent unrest.
Earlier this afternoon I had the great honour to meet Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi and spoke to her about the many challenges facing Burma, not least
the ongoing conflict in Rakhine State.
I share Daw Suu's concern about the situation having witnessed for
myself the seriousness of the humanitarian situation. Conditions remain
extremely worrying. I have visited the IDP camps and seen the thousands
of people, crowded into tents, with little food or sanitation, and
reliant on aid. It left me in no doubt that without urgent action this
tragedy will continue to deepen for all concerned. We spoke about the
work of her Parliamentary committee and its recent urging for greater
security, humanitarian aid, accountability and respect for human
rights.
If I can deliver one message on behalf of the people I met at these
camps it is that we need to see determination on all sides to bring an
end to this conflict and reach a meaningful political solution.
The British Government is already playing its part including working
with trusted NGOs to deliver emergency water, sanitation and healthcare
to over 58,000 people from both communities. While we are presently the
single largest aid provider, much more needs to be done and we are
working to rally international action.
In terms of this country's broader progress, what everyone wants to see
here is rapid development and consolidation of democracy. What does that
mean? It means that the country operates under the rule of law with
strengthened democratic institutions and with respect for human rights;
it means greater trade and prosperity so that people are employed; and
it means utilities and services from roads to railways, from accessible
credit to clean water, and reliable electricity.
To that end I led a trade mission here focusing on the power sector with
the aim of helping this country meet its ambition of a tenfold increase
in its energy generation over the next decade. This is the sort of
responsible investment we need to see here. Modern energy
infrastructure, developed we hope with British expertise, will mean that
everyone will have access to electricity in their homes and that
manufacturers will be able to invest with confidence and produce things
people want to buy. I welcomed the government's commitment to
responsible investment.
I want to finish on a positive note. This is a beautiful country with lofty ambitions.
Britain believes in Burma and the Burmese people. The best way we can
help is not by ignoring its problems but by working together to tackle
them. If we can do that then everyone will be able to enjoy the benefits
of a free, developed, and prosperous nation.
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