SLOVENIA SUPPORTS FURTHER PRESSURE ON BURMA BUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000033

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PASS TO EAP/MLS AARON COPE; EUR/ERA; EUR/NCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM EPET EUN BM SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA SUPPORTS FURTHER PRESSURE ON BURMA BUT
NOTES EU DISTRACTED

REF: A. STATE 5276


B. STATE 6700

C. LJUBLJANA 8

Classified By: CDA Maryruth Coleman for reasons 1.4 (b,d)



1. (C) On January 23, Emboff met with Ambassador Janez
Premoze, Chairman of the EU's Asia-Oceania Working Party
(COASI),to urge Slovenia and the EU to adopt a ban on the
import of gems and hardwood originating in Burma (per reftel
A) and to review any plans by Slovenian or EU companies to
invest in Burma's energy sector (per reftel B). Ambassador
Premoze reiterated points conveyed at Emboff's last demarche
on Burma (reftel C),stating that although Slovenia and the
EU support maintaining pressure on the Burmese regime, they
are currently more focused on issues in Sri Lanka and
Pakistan. He confirmed, however, that the EU's ban on
Burmese gems and hardwood is expected to go into effect in
the coming weeks. Premoze repeated his concern that the EU
has limited leverage with Rangoon because its trade with
Burma pales in comparison with that of ASEAN and other Asian
nations that do not see the necessity of levying sanctions
against Burma.


2. (C) Premoze noted that Slovenia will host a Asia-Europe
Meeting (ASEM) for senior-level officials in Brdo on March 2
- 3. He stated that it is the Presidency intends to propose
to Burma to hold an EU - Burma meeting on the margins of the
ASEM gathering. Premoze believes that this would be an good
opportunity to confront the regime on its lack of progress.


3. (C) Premoze again stressed Slovenia's and the EU's strong
support for the work of UN Special Advisor on Burma Ibrahim
Gambari and EU Special Envoy for Burma Piero Fassino.
COLEMAN