BURMA: EU ADDITIONAL VIEWS ON BURMA'S GLOBAL FUND

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001682 SIPDIS STATE FOR S/OGAC, EAP/MLS FOR EMERY, F, NSC FOR PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2018 TAGS: EAID KHIV PREL PHUM SOCI ETRD BM EUN SUBJECT: BURMA: EU ADDITIONAL VIEWS ON BURMA'S GLOBAL FUND APPLICATION REF: A. A) STATE 115494 ¶B. B) BRUSSELS 1650 ¶C. C)10/23/08 BOWLES/EMERY EMAIL ¶D. D) STATE 105179 Classified By: EU POLMINCOUNS CHRIS DAVIS FOR REASONS 1.4 B & G ¶1. (C) Per REF A instructions, Poloff reviewed U.S. position on the Global Fund in Burma with Andreas List, Burma Desk Officer at DG External Relations. Drawing upon REFTEL points, Poloff stressed the importance of obtaining a commitment from the Burmee Government up front in the Global Fund applcation process on key implementation issues, rather than attempt to defer the matter until te commencement of grant negotiations. ¶2. (C List reiterated the view (REF B) that laying out specific conditions at this early stage in the process would send a "hostile political signal" to the civilian authorities in Rangoon. List believed that in post-cyclone Burma, the civilian administration was trying to differentiate itself from the military junta in terms of its ability to secure assistance for the Burmese people. Consequently, the international donor community should encourage this split by giving civilian administrators more room for maneuver with a view. With respect to the Global Fund specifically, List insisted that this would mean deferring discussion of requirements until spring 2009, after a Country Coordinating Mechanism is decided, and during the more serious negotiations. He also reiterated an interest in exploring the use of Special Safeguards authorized in the Global Fund's rules for this purpose. ¶3. (C) Poloff responded the USG could not support such tactics, noting that the Global Fund had a responsibility to the host government and international donors to be clear up front about the requirements of the application process. Ignoring application requirements would be a breach of responsibility and an invitation to Burmese accusations later in the process that we "moved the goalposts." Furthermore, if all stakeholders were seriously interested in writing a new chapter in Burma's relationship with the Global Fund, it would be critical to address real implementation issues in an open and practical-minded spirit. List agreed to compare notes after the October 31 Country Coordinating Mechanism meeting in Rangoon. SILVERBERG .