NETHERLANDS/BURMA: KEEPING UP THE PRESSURE (PART 2)

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002002

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/19/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM CVIS ETRD NL BM EU UNGA
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/BURMA: KEEPING UP THE PRESSURE (PART 2)

REF: A. A. STATE 155019


B. B. STATE 148530

C. C. STATE 146862

D. D. STATE 142626

E. E. FALLS-COPE EMAILS (10/3

F. 10/16

G. 11/15)

H. F. THE HAGUE 1840

I. G. STATE 145641

J. H. THE HAGUE 1939

Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ANDREW SCHOFER FOR REASONS 1.5(B) AN
D 1.5(D)


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Over the past month, POLOFF has engaged
Dutch MFA officials Mr. Karel Hartogh, Deputy Director for
Asia and Oceania, and Ms. Maaike van der Werf, Burma Desk, on
reftel A - D points, expressing USG appreciation for Dutch
leadership in pursuing Burma sanctions at the EU. The Dutch
continue to support a tough line on Burma. Dutch aid programs
in support of human rights and humanitarian efforts in Burma
were sent to the Department (ref E). END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) In a November 15 briefing on Dutch goals for the EU
GAERC meeting November 19-20, the Deputy EU Correspondent at
the Dutch MFA, Mr. Rochus Pronk, indicated the Dutch will
continue "in the forefront" of those pushing for sanctions.
The Dutch had hoped the EU would include measures against
Burmese oil and gas interests as part of the EU's October 15
sanctions decision. Testifying before parliament on November
12, FM Verhagen reported said "maybe the time is right" for
even tougher sanctions. The Dutch will raise Burma at EU
summits with China and India.


3. (C) In a follow-up conversation on November 20, with Ms.
Van der Werf indicated the Dutch were "rather happy" with the
EU's implementation of Burma sanctions on November 19. The
Netherlands would have preferred oil and gas sanctions as
well but do not expect the EU to approve them due to French
opposition. Van der Werf emphasized that the EU kept open
the possibility of additional sanctions. The Dutch have
demarched ASEAN members to encourage them to "step up their
engagement" with Burma in support of democratic changes. And
the Dutch continue to follow closely EU and UN developments
with regard to Burma.


4. (C) In an October 24, 2007 discussion with Dutch MFA
Director for Human Rights, Ms. Maryem van den Heuvel, and
Reneko Elema, Senior Policy Officer, the Dutch welcomed U.S.
support for the EU's Burma resolution in New York (reftels G
& H). Negotiations in New York are proceeding well. The
Dutch would like to add language referring to a visit by
Special Rapporteur Pinheiro. Pinheiro's visit should not be
used by the regime to dilute world criticism. The visit
ought to instead prompt effective action by the regime. Van
den Heuvel added that the Dutch hope to send Dutch Human
Rights Ambassador Arjan Hamburger to Burma a second time to
emphasize to authorities that the world remains focused on
Burma.
Gallagher