Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have pulled out of a planned visit to Burma amid international criticism over the ‘ethnic cleaning’ of its Muslim population.
Plans for the couple to stay in the country as part of a tour of Asia next month had been in the ‘advanced stages’, the Mail understands, with British diplomats tasked with organising an extensive programme of engagements for the ground-breaking trip.
But yesterday Clarence House announced the couple’s high profile tour next month would take in Singapore, Malaysia and India – as well as a fourth, as yet unannounced, host nation – without any mention of Myanmar, as modern day Burma is known.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have pulled out of a planned visit to Burma amid international criticism over the ‘ethnic cleaning’ of its Muslim population. Pictured in London in May
Despite being repeatedly questioned about why the couple had cancelled, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s deputy director for South East Asia, Philip Malone, refused to say why.
He rejected claims that India had been added to the royals’ tour itinerary as a ‘late substitute’ but declined to say when Burma had been ruled out as an option.
He would only comment: ‘In terms of South East Asia, as with any tour, we look at a range of options. We felt Singapore and Malaysia were very important in terms of our relationships in the region and we wanted to enhance those relationships. We are very pleased that Their Royal Highness have taken the tour at this time.
‘These visits are planned over a number of months. We looked at a range of options in the region. The decision was taken that these were the countries that we would visit.’
Critics have complained that Oxford-educated Mrs Suu Kyi has failed to condemn her country’s military for killing at least 400 Rohingya Muslims in recent weeks
Clarence House said the countries chosen for the couple to visit was a matter for the FCO.
Charles counts Burma’s civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, as a personal friend and she has visited him a number of times at Clarence House.
In November 2015 she led the National League for Democracy (NLD) to a majority win in Burman’s first openly contested election in 25 years.
The win came five years to the day she was released from 15 years of house arrest because of her efforts to bring democracy to then military-ruled country – a fact that made her an international symbol of gentle resistance in the face of oppression and won her a Nobel peace prize.
But critics have complained that Oxford-educated Mrs Suu Kyi has failed to condemn her country’s military for killing at least 400 Rohingya Muslims in recent weeks.
The military, which ruled the country from 1962 until 2011 still wields huge power. It has been accused of crimes against humanity by murdering civilians and burning the villages of the Rohingya, often labelled the world’s most persecuted ethnic minority, in its efforts to combat an insurgency
More than 310,000 people have also fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, with more trapped on the border, amid reports of the burning of villages and extrajudicial killings.
The military, which ruled the country from 1962 until 2011 still wields huge power.
It has been accused of crimes against humanity by murdering civilians and burning the villages of the Rohingya, often labelled the world’s most persecuted ethnic minority, in its efforts to combat an insurgency.
Aung San Suu Kyi has come under international pressure to halt the violence in the country and it had been hoped that a visit by the British heir to the throne would strengthen her hand and encourage her to act.
Burma’s treatment of its Muslim Rohingya minority has since been condemned as a ‘textbook example’ of ethnic cleansing.
More than 310,000 people have also fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, with more trapped on the border, amid reports of the burning of villages and extrajudicial killings
Charles will travel out to Singapore alone on the new Prime Ministerial Voyager jet, it can be revealed, as his wife is taking a short prviate holiday before the trip, before flying on to meet him.
The couple’s tax-payer funded trip is taking place at the request of the FCO and is designed to celebrate UK partnerships in the region, particularly with Commonwealth Countries, which have taken on a new-found importance since Britain voted to leave the EU.
It will take in a meetings with each country’s leader, local entrepreneurs and religious figures, as well as events with representatives from youth groups, the arts and culture.
Charles, who is visiting Malaysia for the first time, as is Camilla, will also get the chance to go out into Borneo’s rainforests where he will highlight ongoing environmental concerns in the region.
Charles, who is visiting Malaysia for the first time, as is Camilla, will also get the chance to go out into Borneo’s rainforests where he will highlight ongoing environmental concerns in the region. Pictured, the royal couple with Ms Suu Kyi in 2012