FRENCH FOREIGN ASSISTANCE TO BURMA PASSES THROUGH

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 004265 SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO EAP/MLS FOR AARON COPE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM BM FR SUBJECT: FRENCH FOREIGN ASSISTANCE TO BURMA PASSES THROUGH EU REF: A. STATE 142626 ¶B. PARIS 4130 ¶1. (SBU) On October 12, Poloff delivered reftel demarche to DAS equivalent for SE Asia, Fabrice Mauries who replied France does not provide any direct assistance to Burma. Mauries expressed interest in assistance that promotes democracy but noted that all French assistance goes through the EU. Mauries added that FM Kouchner would travel to Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines in the next two week in an effort to increase pressure on Burma through ASEAN. ¶2. (SBU) COMMENT: France under President Sarkozy has been more open to pressing the Burmese regime than have been previous French governments. For example, Sarkozy met with the government in exile for the first time (reftel) and urged French companies to stop further investment in Burma. The French MFA requested information on how U.S. sanctions policy works. Post with work with EAP/MLS to respond to this request. END COMMENT. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm Stapleton