BELGIUM: DEMARCHE ON ENCOURAGING SUPPORT FOR

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 003184

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM BM BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: DEMARCHE ON ENCOURAGING SUPPORT FOR
DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT IN BURMA

REF: STATE 142626


1. (SBU) Poloff discussed reftel points October 16 with
Christiaan Tanghe, MFA Director for Asia. Tanghe said
Belgium had very few assistance programs in Asia and no
direct aid programs to Burma at the moment. He indicated
there were a few "partial programs" that supported small
scale NGO projects aimed at promoting human rights and
democracy. For example, Belgium participates in programs in
Thailand to aid Burmese refugees in Thai refugee camps.


2. (SBU) Citing budgetary concerns, Tanghe said there were
no current plans to reconsider direct assistance. He said
Belgium would work with its EU partners in support of human
rights and democracy programs, but Belgium's current lack of
a government hampered any immediate plans to reconsider
direct assistance programs.

FOX
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