July 17, 2007	Tuesday	Rajab 01, 1428

NEW DELHI, July 16: A European Union arms embargo against Myanmar is under threat from an Indian project to sell attack helicopters to the military regime, Amnesty International said in a report published on Monday.

The London-based rights group said France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Italy and Britain provide parts and technology for the Indian-made Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), meaning any sales by New Delhi would flout a 19-year-old ban.

India avoided giving any official reaction, although government sources stressed that

the problem was theoretical as no helicopters had changed hands.

“It is hypothetical to say we are breaking the embargo, as so far no transfer has occurred,” a senior Indian government official said on condition of anonymity.

A defence official, however, acknowledged that the report had put New Delhi in a difficult situation, with India keen to do business with the military junta and blunt Chinese influence there.

“The matter is delicate: 90 per cent of the ALH is European, and its transfer would be in breach of the embargo. It's a Catch-22 situation for us,” the official, from the defence ministry's armaments production wing said.

“We have to keep Myanmar in good humour,” he said, citing the military state's decision in March to sell gas to China rather than India as a sign of Beijing's growing influence in Yangon.

Another government official stressed that India continues to rely on Myanmar to disrupt the flow of cross-border separatist rebels into its revolt-hit northeastern states.

The Amnesty report said: “Indian helicopters for Myanmar: making a mockery of the EU arms embargo?” was compiled by European and international non-governmental forums, including Saferworld, which works to prevent armed violence.

The report called on Brussels to begin immediate talks with India to prevent any future sales of the ALH, components or military technology to Myanmar.

—AFP