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