DEMARCHE ON BURMA'S CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000682 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/06/2018 TAGS: ETTC PGOV PHUM PREL BM BE SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON BURMA'S CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM REF: STATE 45471 Classified By: POL/ECONCOUNS RICHARD EASON. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). 1.(C) Poloff relayed reftel points May 5 to Renier Nijskens, MFA Director for South and West Asia and the Pacific. Nijskens has expressed concern about Burma's proposed constitutional changes, believing they will serve to institutionalize current government policies and has said Belgian is in favor of additional sanctions. Post will report additional comments regarding Belgium's position on public statements on the constitution drafting process and the pre-referendum environment septel. FOX