Additional Estimates - Thursday 16 February 2012 - Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Senator LUDLAM: I appreciate that we have held some of the officers back for a little while. I thank the committee and the witnesses. A lot has happened since last time we discussed these issues. Would you like to give us a quick precis of how the department sees the changing situation in Burma?
Mr Smith: There has been a number of very significant and we think very positive developments in Burma over recent months. There was some discussion about that earlier in the session. It has taken us to a point where we think there is a better chance for real sustainable reform in Burma now than there has been for many decades. A couple of the very significant recent developments include the announcement on 12 January of the ceasefire between the Burmese government and the KNU, the Karen National Union; and the further release of political prisoners on 13 January-651 prisoners, including many high-profile dissidents. That came on top of the earlier release in October of last year of 220 political prisoners. We were very encouraged by the decision that Aung San Suu Kyi took to register to contest the April by-elections, and the NLD in fact will be contesting all of the 48 seats in that by-election.