I went to hear David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary speak today during a Questions and Answers session at the Great Hall, Leeds University. On arrival, what struck me was the obvious presence of Special branch with their stereotypical macs and tashes, and an attachment throng of parked Mercedes Benz cars surrounding a Jag (which at the time, left my imagination to wonder if it was bullet proof or not)!?
Anyway, I could not easily resist the opportunity to hear him speak or indeed to ask a question. My question (with the help of Dad) was framed around the recent sentencing of political activists in Burma of up to 65 years in prison. One pro-democracy blogger was given 20 years for his involvement. Please see the following article for more details:
http://advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/2008/11/11/burmese-blogger-nay-phone-latt-sentenced-to-twenty-years-and-six-months/
My question to the FS was this:
'How seriously is the British Government taking the suppression of political rights for minority ethnic peoples in Burma and what steps has the British Government taken to protest over the sentencing of pro-democracy leaders in Burma for up to sixty-five years?'
His response was a little short of satisfactory. He noted his awareness of the importance of the democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi who has remained under house arrest for well over a decade. He gave reference to the 'warm feeling' that he felt when in 2006 during the Monk's protests, he was speaking to the British Embassy in Rangoon, over the telephone and how he could hear the clapping of the Monk's as they walked past the Embassy. But in his avoidance of the direct question to what is the British Government doing, he simply pointed to the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon's visit to Rangoon in December (see http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/un_action.html and take action). His limited response is a sign perhaps of it not being on top of Britain's agenda. Not of much use in the twin sense of Burma’s locked up activists but also my dissertation.
All together I feel the Foreign Secretary, collectively gave a good response to most of the questions raised. His knowledge basis for varying topics was impressive. Even to some of the more controversial questions posed on the subjects of: Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, Israel etc. I think he got off lightly but his human side did come out during his response with a touch of humour; seemingly he was perfectly at ease. Perhaps one day he will be a candidate for the Leader of Labour Party?
Watch this space!
Just want to share a clip originally taken from Dispatches which I am using in a presentation on Burma next week:
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