CZECHS SUPPORT KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON THE BURMESE

UNCLAS PRAGUE 001124 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS EAP/MLS FOR AARON COPE, EUR/ERA, EUR/NCE FOR ALEX TRATENSEK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM ETRD WTRO BM EU EZ SUBJECT: CZECHS SUPPORT KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON THE BURMESE GOVERNMENT REF: A. STATE 1357644 ¶B. BRUSSELS 03052 ¶C. LONDON 03771 ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4. ¶2. (SBU) Czech Director of Human Rights and Transition Policy, Gabriela Dlouha, informed us that the Czech government is supportive of the EU approach to keep the pressure on the Burmese government. She commented that the MFA has been following closely the discussions October 3 in COREPER and the Czech Republic is supporting the United Kingdom lead to tighten existing sanction measures. She indicated that Austria, however, is expressing reluctance in this area, questioning whether tightening existing sanctions will cause problems with WTO regulations. ¶2. (SBU) Dlouha noted that the GOCR has been supportive of the mission by UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari to Burma and that they have been following the discussions in Geneva at the UN Human Rights Council. She stated that if the EU decides to send a mission to Burma, or if EU member state Ambassadors in Thailand are called upon to deliver a demarche, the GOCR would also support such efforts. In addition to its engagement within the EU, the GOCR has continued its strong, active approach in support of democracy and human rights in Burma and released press statements on September 25, and 26, expressing support for the rights of demonstrators and condemning the use of security forces against demonstrators. ¶3. (SBU) Action request: Dlouha suggested it would be helpful if the USG could provide to the EU Secretariat and EU Member States any legal analysis related to imposing sanctions on Burma in a manner consistent with WTO rules. Such a document would help to address the concerns expressed by Austria, and perhaps allow the EU to come to a swifter consensus. GRABER