SLOVENIAN EU PRESIDENCY RELEASING A STATEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000231 SIPDIS EAP/MLS AARON COPE E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2018 TAGS: EAID PGOV PHUM PREL BM SI SUBJECT: SLOVENIAN EU PRESIDENCY RELEASING A STATEMENT PRIOR TO BURMA CONFERENCE REF: A. STATE 55244 ¶B. STATE 53985 Classified By: CDA Maryruth Coleman for reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) On May 23, Emboff discussed Burma donor's conference reftels with MFA Asia, Africa, and Pacific Division Third Secretary Matjaz Marko. Emboff urged the GOS to join the U.S. in speaking out against the Burmese regime if an agreement is not reached during the Burma conference to allow an independent needs assessment and immediate and greater access to cyclone-affected areas. Marko said that the Slovenian EU Presidency is working on a "strictly humanitarian" statement about the donor's conference to be released this afternoon on behalf of the EU, and that the Deputy Head of Mission at the Slovenian Embassy in Beijing will represent the EU Presidency at the Burma conference. Marko also confirmed that Ambassador Friedrich Hamburger would lead the European Commission's delegation and that there would be representatives from several other EU Member States in attendance. COLEMAN