Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LJUBLJANA561
2008-12-23 16:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ljubljana
Cable title:
SLOVENIA HESITANT ON BURMA SANCTIONS, BUT WILL
how-toVZCZCXRO3741 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHLJ #0561 3581600 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 231600Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7098 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000561
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2018
TAGS: ECON EFIN PGOV PREL BM SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA HESITANT ON BURMA SANCTIONS, BUT WILL
FOLLOW EU CONSENSUS
REF: SECSTATE 125635
Classified By: CDA Brad Freden, reasons 1.4(b,d)
(C) On December 23, Emboff met with Matjaz Marko, COASI
Assistant at the Slovenian MFA, to discuss sanctions on
Burma, per reftel. Marko explained that two camps are
developing within the EU on the topic. The UK, primarily
supported by the Nordic countries, favors strengthening
sanctions against Burma. Germany leads the second, "more
conservative" faction, nominally supported by France
(although Marko suggested that France will attempt to stay
neutral while they hold the EU presidency.) According to
Marko, Germany wants to see results from the existing
sanctions before changing anything. Marko said that while
Slovenia held the EU presidency, they stayed strictly neutral
on the topic, but now slightly favor the German argument. He
indicated support for increasing pressure on "key players" in
the region (he named India, China, Philippines and
Indonesia.) Additionally, Slovenia wants to focus on
humanitarian activities in Burma, and "viewed as a good
experience" the UN/ASEAN/Burma cooperation for disaster
relief after Cyclone Nargis. Slovenia has high hopes for the
upcoming summit in March with Ban Ki Moon. Marko indicated
that Slovenia will attentively listen to all arguments
regarding sanctions on Burma and could be swayed, but that in
the end, they will definitely join the EU consensus.
FREDEN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2018
TAGS: ECON EFIN PGOV PREL BM SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA HESITANT ON BURMA SANCTIONS, BUT WILL
FOLLOW EU CONSENSUS
REF: SECSTATE 125635
Classified By: CDA Brad Freden, reasons 1.4(b,d)
(C) On December 23, Emboff met with Matjaz Marko, COASI
Assistant at the Slovenian MFA, to discuss sanctions on
Burma, per reftel. Marko explained that two camps are
developing within the EU on the topic. The UK, primarily
supported by the Nordic countries, favors strengthening
sanctions against Burma. Germany leads the second, "more
conservative" faction, nominally supported by France
(although Marko suggested that France will attempt to stay
neutral while they hold the EU presidency.) According to
Marko, Germany wants to see results from the existing
sanctions before changing anything. Marko said that while
Slovenia held the EU presidency, they stayed strictly neutral
on the topic, but now slightly favor the German argument. He
indicated support for increasing pressure on "key players" in
the region (he named India, China, Philippines and
Indonesia.) Additionally, Slovenia wants to focus on
humanitarian activities in Burma, and "viewed as a good
experience" the UN/ASEAN/Burma cooperation for disaster
relief after Cyclone Nargis. Slovenia has high hopes for the
upcoming summit in March with Ban Ki Moon. Marko indicated
that Slovenia will attentively listen to all arguments
regarding sanctions on Burma and could be swayed, but that in
the end, they will definitely join the EU consensus.
FREDEN