NETHERLANDS/BURMA: RESPONSE TO EC COMMENTS AT

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000812 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MLS (A. BARRASSO) E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2011 TAGS: PHUM EAID PREF PREL BM EU NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/BURMA: RESPONSE TO EC COMMENTS AT BURMA/MYANMAR FORUM REF: A. A) STATE 55919 (NOTAL) ¶B. B) USEU BRUSSELS (NOTAL) Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew J. Schofer; reasons 1.4 (b) a nd (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: The GONL is adamantly opposed to any change in the European Union's position on Burma. Sanctions should remain in place. According to the Dutch, the comments of EU officials, including European Commission DG for External Relations Eneko Landaburu, do not represent EU policy. The GONL disagrees also with Special Rapportuer Razali Ismael and is interested in knowing whether Secretary General Annan plans to replace him. End summary. ¶2. (C) Poloff delivered ref A demarche April 10 to MFA Burma Policy Officer Maurice Pourchez. The GONL was extremely unhappy, according to Pourchez, about Landaburu's comments at the recent Burma/Myanmar Forum (ref B). According to Pourchez, Landaburu's comments do not rpt not represent EU consensus. The GONL does not expect the current EU position on sanctions to change, and it views the positions of Austria, Germany, Spain, the European Commission, and, especially, Italy, as unacceptable. Those countries, according to Pourchez, wish to lift sanctions and engage only. The GONL believes that sanctions are absolutely necessary to maintain credibility in ongoing dialogue with the Burmese government. ¶3. (C) On the Burma issue, the Netherlands considers itself aligned with Ireland, the UK and Denmark, all of which favor continued sanctions. Pourcher stressed the GONL will continue engaging the Burmese, both bilaterally and within an EU context, at events such as the upcoming Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Vienna, to encourage positive change. ¶4. (C) The Dutch mission to the UN has, according to Pourchez, asked the UN Secretariat staff whether UNSG Annan will replace Special Rapporteur for Burma Razali Ismael. The Dutch understand that Annan's staff is developing a new action plan for Burma but does not have the details. They hope it will be more robust and will be led by someone other than Ismael. The GONL would appreciate any information we have on this matter. ARNALL