DEMARCHE TO LAO GOVERNMENT: U.S. SANCTIONS AGAINST

UNCLAS VIENTIANE 000788 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS EAP/MLS FOR AARON COPE EAP/MLS FOR ED BESTIC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ETRD EFIN BM LA ASEAN SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO LAO GOVERNMENT: U.S. SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA REF: A. STATE 146862 ¶B. VIENTIANE 787 ¶C. VIENTIANE 767 ¶1. (SBU) The Ambassador delivered Ref A demarche on Burma during an October 22 meeting with Assistant Foreign Minister Alounkeo Kittikhoun primarily devoted to the Hmong waiver issue (Ref B). He provided the Assistant Minister with the White House fact sheet, the text of the executive order, and the list of names of affected individuals. ¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador thanked Mr. Alounkeo for the positive role that the Lao government had played, including its participation in the ASEAN statement. ASEAN's continued engagement, he said, will be crucial to the success of UN Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari. It will also send a positive signal that ASEAN as an organization is working to address a situation within ASEAN. Mr. Alounkeo took note of the Ambassador's remarks but did not provide any substantive comments. Other MFA officials had previously expressed the GOL's commitment to remaining engaged on Burma within ASEAN (Ref C). HUSO