Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PARIS1529
2008-08-07 08:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRANCE: MEASURED APPROVAL FOR NEW U.S. BURMA
how-toVZCZCXRO5221 OO RUEHAG RUEHDT RUEHPB RUEHROV DE RUEHFR #1529 2200828 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 070828Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4047 INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 1760 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 1799 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1236 RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 1642 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 2279 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 1540 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 2808 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 0417 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 2371 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1568
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001529
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV ETRD FR BM
SUBJECT: FRANCE: MEASURED APPROVAL FOR NEW U.S. BURMA
SANCTIONS, OPENNESS TO TIGHTER MEASURES
REF: STATE 83719
Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Young. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001529
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV ETRD FR BM
SUBJECT: FRANCE: MEASURED APPROVAL FOR NEW U.S. BURMA
SANCTIONS, OPENNESS TO TIGHTER MEASURES
REF: STATE 83719
Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Young. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) France welcomes new U.S. sanctions on Burma
and is open to strengthening existing EU sanctions as
long as they do not interfere with provision of
humanitarian aid, Burma Desk Officer Jeremie Petit
said August 6 in response to reftel points. He added
that EU experts are reviewing Europe's sanctions
regime against Burma with a view to making them more
targeted and efficient. "Our list of sanctions is as
thick as the Yellow Pages," Petit said, observing that
the challenge for the EU is to streamline the measures
without giving the impression that it is lifting or
easing them. Although France currently holds the
rotating EU presidency, no plans are on the table for
Paris to spearhead any new sanctions initiatives. The
UK is seen as the EU leader on Burma; a tacit
understanding exists among Europeans that "everything
on Burma goes through the UK," Petit said.
2. (C) POLOFF assured Petit that the United States
has taken steps to ensure that assistance is reaching
people in need in Burma. He stressed the importance
of U.S.-EU cooperation and coordination on sanctions,
emphasizing that in light of lack of progress toward
genuine political dialogue in Burma, we need to take
stricter measures together. Petit agreed, describing
EU sanctions as "not enough." Individual countries'
and the EU's efforts have not yielded the results we
want. He advocated pushing for a UN Security Council
resolution that would impose sanctions with the weight
of international law. As for the JADE Act, Petit
expressed doubt that new import and financial rules
would be sufficient to get the Generals to see the
light. Nonetheless, he praised the revamped visa
restrictions as hitting the Junta where it hurts.
3. (C) Turning to the role of ASEAN, Petit said
France would like to see the group do more on Burma.
(Petit also handles Thailand and ASEAN Regional Forum
issues.) He specified that in his view, Indonesia and
Thailand should take the lead in generating
constructive initiatives, particularly in the areas of
human rights, good governance and social and economic
development. With an embassy staff of two (an
ambassador and counselor) in Rangoon, "these are
things France can't do," Petit concluded.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Fran ce
STAPLETON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV ETRD FR BM
SUBJECT: FRANCE: MEASURED APPROVAL FOR NEW U.S. BURMA
SANCTIONS, OPENNESS TO TIGHTER MEASURES
REF: STATE 83719
Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Young. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) France welcomes new U.S. sanctions on Burma
and is open to strengthening existing EU sanctions as
long as they do not interfere with provision of
humanitarian aid, Burma Desk Officer Jeremie Petit
said August 6 in response to reftel points. He added
that EU experts are reviewing Europe's sanctions
regime against Burma with a view to making them more
targeted and efficient. "Our list of sanctions is as
thick as the Yellow Pages," Petit said, observing that
the challenge for the EU is to streamline the measures
without giving the impression that it is lifting or
easing them. Although France currently holds the
rotating EU presidency, no plans are on the table for
Paris to spearhead any new sanctions initiatives. The
UK is seen as the EU leader on Burma; a tacit
understanding exists among Europeans that "everything
on Burma goes through the UK," Petit said.
2. (C) POLOFF assured Petit that the United States
has taken steps to ensure that assistance is reaching
people in need in Burma. He stressed the importance
of U.S.-EU cooperation and coordination on sanctions,
emphasizing that in light of lack of progress toward
genuine political dialogue in Burma, we need to take
stricter measures together. Petit agreed, describing
EU sanctions as "not enough." Individual countries'
and the EU's efforts have not yielded the results we
want. He advocated pushing for a UN Security Council
resolution that would impose sanctions with the weight
of international law. As for the JADE Act, Petit
expressed doubt that new import and financial rules
would be sufficient to get the Generals to see the
light. Nonetheless, he praised the revamped visa
restrictions as hitting the Junta where it hurts.
3. (C) Turning to the role of ASEAN, Petit said
France would like to see the group do more on Burma.
(Petit also handles Thailand and ASEAN Regional Forum
issues.) He specified that in his view, Indonesia and
Thailand should take the lead in generating
constructive initiatives, particularly in the areas of
human rights, good governance and social and economic
development. With an embassy staff of two (an
ambassador and counselor) in Rangoon, "these are
things France can't do," Petit concluded.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Fran ce
STAPLETON