article_snippet.sent: Although New Zealand diplomats were taking the lead, a Foreign Office Minister said that his family expected the Foreign Office to exert pressure on Burma.
article_snippet.sent: There is international concern over a surge of religious nationalism in Burma, ruled until recently by a military junta.
article_snippet.sent: A Foreign and the Foreign Office spokesman said: ‘Our ambassador in Burma made clear that Our were following the case closely when Mr Blackwood raised the case with the Burmese Minister of the Presidency.
article_snippet.sent: Our embassy in Rangoon has provided advice and support to the New Zealanders on Mr Blackwood’s case.