Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-03-13-Speech-4-144"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20030313.7.4-144"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spoken text |
"Mr President, we are often placed in a dilemma when dealing with evil and repugnant regimes. Some will call for dialogue, wanting to point out their concerns and encourage the regime to change its ways. Others – the realists – want tough action and opt for isolation of the regime and sanctions. Every situation is distinct and calls for different measures.
It can be said with some confidence that tyrants rarely listen to reason and only respond when their vital interests – often personal – are seriously under threat. The European Union and the wider international community can be powerful bodies when they act with unity, consistency and determination. When they are divided or make seemingly empty threats, sending different messages through other channels, then the tyrant sees no need to respond. We are seeing this with Iraq. Saddam clearly feels – wrongly – that he is being let off the hook. Sometimes tough measures are introduced but there is little resolve in implementing them or there are deliberate efforts to undermine them. We have seen this with Zimbabwe, where the very target of an EU sanctions regime is himself given specific exemption in order to be wined and dined in a European capital.
Now we come once more to Burma – another abominable regime – yet another case where the efforts of the European Union and the international community to encourage change have brought few tangible results. We have been at this for years. Parliament has been adopting resolutions and the Council common positions since 1996. What have we to show for all this? Where is the application and the resolve to achieve some real results? Current sanctions against the Burmese regime are due to expire on 29 April. The Council must renew the sanctions but it should strengthen them, introduce new measures, such as an investment ban, remove exemptions to the travel ban and extend it to include all members of the military junta. The sanctions should be rigorously enforced. In addition, I call upon the Commission and the Council to assess why the action so far has been ineffective and make recommendations to remedy the situation."@en1
|
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:unclassifiedMetadata |
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples