Dutch policy on Burma

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000287 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EU BM NL SUBJECT: Dutch policy on Burma ¶1. Summary: In a January 28 response to questions from Parliament, Foreign Minister Bot outlined Dutch policy on Burma. For reasons of effectiveness, the GoNL believes that the EU as a whole, and not bilateral Dutch efforts, should take the lead in advancing the improvement of the political and human rights situation in Burma. The EU will continue to work with other governments in Asia to encourage reforms in Burma. The Netherlands is not adverse to supplemental EU sanctions against the country, provided they are targeted against the junta and not the population. The Netherlands provides assistance to human right groups and supports efforts to strengthen civil society in Burma. End summary. ¶2. In a letter to parliament, the Foreign Minister explained that the Netherlands will urge the EU to abide by its Common Position towards Burma, using it as a tool to advance improvement of the political and human rights situation. The Netherlands supports the EU vision that it is best to cooperate with ASEAN countries, China, India and Japan in promoting reforms within Burma, as western pressure will have a greater effect if done in conjunction with the local region. ¶3. Regarding the stand-off between the EU and ASEM (Asian countries have threatened to block the accession of the 10 new EU member states to ASEM if the EU continues to block the accession of Burma, Cambodia and Laos),Bot wrote that, "Besides ASEM, there are also other instruments to shape the Burma policy, such as the Common Position. Those are considerations that the Netherlands must bear in mind. In taking a position, the GONL gives top priority to improvement of the political and human rights situation in Burma." ¶4. Bot noted that the debate on tightening EU sanctions against Burma continues, and member states are divided over supplemental sanctions. The Netherlands is prepared to consider all options. Important factors for the GoNL include: developments in Burma, progress with the Burmese Road Map, and the degree to which supplemental sanctions would truly affect the junta and not the population. ¶5. On the issue of support to Burma's civil society and democratic political parties, Bot noted that The Netherlands supports Burmese human rights groups and civil society capabilities wherever possible. For example, Burmese groups may submit proposals for projects to the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok, which directly funds such initiatives. Funding is additionally possible via the MFA's Human Rights Fund. This year, the Netherlands is also the largest donor to the general UNAIDS budget, which funds a civil society program in Burma. The Dutch are closely involved with this program. SOBEL