BELGIUM: DEMARCHE ON U.S. SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 003245 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM BM BE SUBJECT: BELGIUM: DEMARCHE ON U.S. SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA REF: A. STATE 146862 ¶B. BRUSSELS 3184 ¶1. (SBU) Poloff relayed information about U.S. sanctions on Burma to Christiaan Tanghe, MFA Director for Asia. Belgian Foreign Minister De Gucht has called "the violent suppression of peaceful demonstrations unacceptable" in Burma and has called for the Burmese regime to enter into a dialogue with all parties "so that democracy can be restored." ¶2. (SBU) FM De Gucht has also called for the EU to play an active role, pointing to EU sanctions in place since 1996. Belgium advocates that these sanctions be extended and new ones imposed, although sanctions should not adversely impact the humanitarian situation or the Burmese people. ¶3. (SBU) FM DeGucht is on record as supporting the mission of UN Special Envoy Gambari, and supports a special meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the situation. BUSH .