Memorandum from the Secretary of State
for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Thank you for your letter of 26 July about reports
from NGOs of India selling advanced military helicopters to Burma,
containing components from the UK.
As you rightly point out, and as Meg Munn made
clear in her response to your written question on 25 July, India
has confirmed that it does not intend to sell this equipment to
the Burmese.
Since then, on 27 July the EU Troika in New
Delhi delivered a demarche on the Indian Government about the
reported sale of such equipment to Burma. The Indians reiterated
that no such deal was under consideration. The Troika reminded
the Indian government of the long- standing Common Position on
Burma and Europe's deep concern about the situation there. I hope
that these representations will have reinforced with the Indian
Government the seriousness with which the EU, including the UK,
views the EU arms embargo on Burma,
You also asked about what measures the Government
can take to prevent re-exports to Burma. As Meg Munn has indicated,
we consider all applications for the export of military equipment
on a case by case basis against the Consolidated EU and National
Arms Export Licensing Criteria. This includes an assessment of
whether there is a risk that the goods in question will be diverted
within the buyer country or re-exported under undesirable conditions.
If a licence application is deemed inconsistent with the Criteria,
a licence will not be issued.
Finally, thank you for your best wishes on my
appointment. I look forward to building on the excellent working
relationship that has been established between the Foreign Office
and the Committee under my predecessors.
August 2007
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