Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LISBON2558
2007-10-03 15:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:
PORTUGAL: EU TO STRENGTHEN SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA
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C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 002558
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MLS AARON COPE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BU
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: EU TO STRENGTHEN SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA
REF: STATE 137644
Classified By: Dep P/E Couns Cari Enav for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
Summary
-----------
C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 002558
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MLS AARON COPE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BU
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: EU TO STRENGTHEN SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA
REF: STATE 137644
Classified By: Dep P/E Couns Cari Enav for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) In response to recent unrest, the EU will discuss
strengthening both political and economic sanctions regime
against Burma during the October 3 COREPER meeting in
Brussels. In addition, the EU is engaging China, India and
the ASEAN countries, encouraging them to exert greater
pressure on Burma's military junta. The EU also plans to
keep the pressure on by raising the issue at the Nov 22
EU-ASEAN Summit, the Nov 28 EU-China Summit, and the Nov 30
EU-India Summit.
2. (SBU) MFA Diplomatic Advisor for Asia and Africa Carolina
Cordeiro told post that Portugal, both bilaterally and in its
capacity as EU President, was very concerned about the
Burmese military response to recent democracy protests there.
She noted that there was strong EU consensus to respond
loudly and forcefully and that EU officials were meeting on
October 3 in Brussels to discuss implementing further
sanctions against the regime -- including a targeted trade
embargo, freezing assets, limiting contact with Burmese
officials, and tightening travel visa issuance.
3. (C) Cordeiro noted that the EU is also urging China,
India, and ASEAN nations to exert pressure on Burma. EU
officials raised the issue with China and with Singapore (in
its capacity as ASEAN President) on the margins of UNGA and
were very pleased with ASEAN's statement condemning the
violence. The EU Troika has also demarched officials in New
Delhi, Beijing and Bangkok, and the EU plan to raise the
issue during the series of November summits. EU Foreign
Ministers will be able to express their concern directly to
the Burmese Deputy Prime Minister who is scheduled to attend
the November 22 EU-ASEAN Summit. The issue is also on the
November 28 EU-China Summit agenda and the November 30
EU-India Summit agenda.
4. (C) While there is strong EU consensus to strengthen
sanctions against Burma, Cordeiro noted that parallels could
not be drawn with Iran. Burma would be relatively easy
because the crackdown was so blatantly violent and there were
no vested EU interests there. That was not the case with
Iran which was playing games with IAEA inspection and had
strong commercial ties to certain EU member-states.
Hoffman
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MLS AARON COPE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BU
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: EU TO STRENGTHEN SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA
REF: STATE 137644
Classified By: Dep P/E Couns Cari Enav for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) In response to recent unrest, the EU will discuss
strengthening both political and economic sanctions regime
against Burma during the October 3 COREPER meeting in
Brussels. In addition, the EU is engaging China, India and
the ASEAN countries, encouraging them to exert greater
pressure on Burma's military junta. The EU also plans to
keep the pressure on by raising the issue at the Nov 22
EU-ASEAN Summit, the Nov 28 EU-China Summit, and the Nov 30
EU-India Summit.
2. (SBU) MFA Diplomatic Advisor for Asia and Africa Carolina
Cordeiro told post that Portugal, both bilaterally and in its
capacity as EU President, was very concerned about the
Burmese military response to recent democracy protests there.
She noted that there was strong EU consensus to respond
loudly and forcefully and that EU officials were meeting on
October 3 in Brussels to discuss implementing further
sanctions against the regime -- including a targeted trade
embargo, freezing assets, limiting contact with Burmese
officials, and tightening travel visa issuance.
3. (C) Cordeiro noted that the EU is also urging China,
India, and ASEAN nations to exert pressure on Burma. EU
officials raised the issue with China and with Singapore (in
its capacity as ASEAN President) on the margins of UNGA and
were very pleased with ASEAN's statement condemning the
violence. The EU Troika has also demarched officials in New
Delhi, Beijing and Bangkok, and the EU plan to raise the
issue during the series of November summits. EU Foreign
Ministers will be able to express their concern directly to
the Burmese Deputy Prime Minister who is scheduled to attend
the November 22 EU-ASEAN Summit. The issue is also on the
November 28 EU-China Summit agenda and the November 30
EU-India Summit agenda.
4. (C) While there is strong EU consensus to strengthen
sanctions against Burma, Cordeiro noted that parallels could
not be drawn with Iran. Burma would be relatively easy
because the crackdown was so blatantly violent and there were
no vested EU interests there. That was not the case with
Iran which was playing games with IAEA inspection and had
strong commercial ties to certain EU member-states.
Hoffman