Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NICOSIA68
2008-01-28 15:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nicosia
Cable title:
CYPRUS SUPPORTS BANNING IMPORTS OF BURMESE GEMS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHNC #0068 0281518 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 281518Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8532 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0026
UNCLAS NICOSIA 000068
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/ MLS AARON COPE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD PHUM BU CY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS SUPPORTS BANNING IMPORTS OF BURMESE GEMS
AND HARDWOODS
REF: SECSTATE 5276
UNCLAS NICOSIA 000068
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/ MLS AARON COPE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD PHUM BU CY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS SUPPORTS BANNING IMPORTS OF BURMESE GEMS
AND HARDWOODS
REF: SECSTATE 5276
1. Per reftel, POLOFF demarched Republic of Cyprus MFA Asia
Desk Officer Nikos Panayi on January 25. Panayi responded
that the European Union had a "high interest" in the
situation in Burma, as demonstrated by the November 2007
appointment of Italian MP Piero Fassino as EU Special Envoy
to Burma. Regarding broader UN efforts, Panayi asserted that
Cyprus supports envoy Ibrahim Gambari and his good offices
mission, believing it is important to maintain international
pressure, including "smart sanctions," on Burma. Cyprus
hopes that Gambari's next visit will produce tangible results
and the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. With regards to the EU
sanctions approved in October 2007, Panayi reported that the
EU is still in the process of finalizing implementation.
Cyprus approves of "humane, focused" sanctions, and will
follow EU consensus on any future prohibition of gem and/or
hardwood imports from Burma.
2. Panayi confirmed that Burma would be discussed at the
next GAERC meeting, and requested the names of the three
state-owned Burmese banks that handle foreign exchange
transactions. He also expressed the hope that ASEAN would
be more "energetic" in helping to resolve the Burma issue.
SCHLICHER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/ MLS AARON COPE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD PHUM BU CY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS SUPPORTS BANNING IMPORTS OF BURMESE GEMS
AND HARDWOODS
REF: SECSTATE 5276
1. Per reftel, POLOFF demarched Republic of Cyprus MFA Asia
Desk Officer Nikos Panayi on January 25. Panayi responded
that the European Union had a "high interest" in the
situation in Burma, as demonstrated by the November 2007
appointment of Italian MP Piero Fassino as EU Special Envoy
to Burma. Regarding broader UN efforts, Panayi asserted that
Cyprus supports envoy Ibrahim Gambari and his good offices
mission, believing it is important to maintain international
pressure, including "smart sanctions," on Burma. Cyprus
hopes that Gambari's next visit will produce tangible results
and the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. With regards to the EU
sanctions approved in October 2007, Panayi reported that the
EU is still in the process of finalizing implementation.
Cyprus approves of "humane, focused" sanctions, and will
follow EU consensus on any future prohibition of gem and/or
hardwood imports from Burma.
2. Panayi confirmed that Burma would be discussed at the
next GAERC meeting, and requested the names of the three
state-owned Burmese banks that handle foreign exchange
transactions. He also expressed the hope that ASEAN would
be more "energetic" in helping to resolve the Burma issue.
SCHLICHER