KEEPING PRESSURE ON THE BURMESE REGIME

UNCLAS WARSAW 002043 SIPDIS SIPDIS EAP/MLS BURMA DESK AARON COPE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM BM PL SUBJECT: KEEPING PRESSURE ON THE BURMESE REGIME REF: STATE 137644 Entire text is Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU). ¶1. (SBU) Poloff met October 2 with Beata Stoczynska, Acting Director, and Krzysztof Ciebien, Minister Counsellor from the Asia-Pacific Department of the MFA to deliver reftel points on Burma. Stoczynska confirmed that Poland is pushing within the framework of the EU to keep pressure on the Burmese regime to guarantee the population's human rights, and to secure the release of Aun Sun Suu Kyi. Meetings are currently taking place within the COREPER channels. Stoczynska did not expect any further action before the October 15 GAERC meeting in Brussels, where Burma is one of the leading topics for foreign ministers. Sanctions are on the agenda of the GAERC meeting, however, Stoczynska expressed Polish concerns that tightening sanctions not hurt the general population. ¶2. (SBU) Ciebien also emphasized the need to put pressure on neighboring countries to help stop the violence. They asked for up-to-date information on the situation, as the GOP does not have representation in Burma. Ciebien wished to know the USG opinion regarding other ASEAN countries' willingness to maintain pressure on Rangoon. Ciebien also asked what the U.S. position would be if Burma were to withdraw from ASEAN. ¶3. (U) The Polish MFA issued a statement on Burma on September 27 decrying the Burmese authorities' violence against peaceful protestors. The Polish statement endorses EU efforts concerning Burma, and urges an immediate process of national reconciliation to restore democracy and human rights. HILLAS