CONSULTATIONS WITH EU ON BURMA: DUTCH RESPONSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000552 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2014 TAGS: PREL PGOV BM NL EUN SUBJECT: CONSULTATIONS WITH EU ON BURMA: DUTCH RESPONSE REF: SECSTATE 42342 Classified By: PolCouns Mary E. Daly Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) The EU has not reached a common position to impose sanctions against the Burmese government. MFA Burma Desk Officer Mariko Peters stated that the EU discussion on Burma in on-going, and will be on the agenda for the next COASI. While there is no disagreement on the need for the government to reform, internal debate continues on what is the most effective way to encourage the government to do so. Peters mentioned, for example, interest in an Australian program that provided human rights training to mid-level civil servants. Some EU members, following this idea, favor engagement. The GoNL, which Peters stated continues to be one of the strongest voices speaking about against human rights violations in Burma in EU meetings, currently supports the status-quo within the EU. However, the GoNL would welcome closer U.S.-EU consultations and possible joint coordination on Burma. ¶2. (C) Note: The GoNL provides bilateral funding out of its Embassy in Bangkok for small-scale human rights projects in Burma. The GoNL also support HIV programs in Burma via multilateral sources. The Dutch oppose membership for Burma in ASEM (Asia Europe Meeting) and would oppose EU attendance at meetings during Burma's chairmanship of ASEAN in 2006 if circumstances do not significantly improve. End note. SOBEL