Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PARIS2178
2008-12-02 12:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
BURMA: FRANCE CONCERNED ABOUT BANK MEASURES IN EU
how-toVZCZCXRO3882 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHFR #2178 3371255 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 021255Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4942 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON PRIORITY 0087 RUEATRS/DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002178
SIPDIS
STATE PLEASE PASS EUR/ERA, EEB/ESC/TFS AND EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV EREL ETTC EFIN FR EU MY
SUBJECT: BURMA: FRANCE CONCERNED ABOUT BANK MEASURES IN EU
SANCTIONS REGIME
REF: STATE 125635
Classified By: Acting Political Deputy Gregory S. D'Elia. Reasons 1.4
(b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002178
SIPDIS
STATE PLEASE PASS EUR/ERA, EEB/ESC/TFS AND EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV EREL ETTC EFIN FR EU MY
SUBJECT: BURMA: FRANCE CONCERNED ABOUT BANK MEASURES IN EU
SANCTIONS REGIME
REF: STATE 125635
Classified By: Acting Political Deputy Gregory S. D'Elia. Reasons 1.4
(b/d).
1. (C) France wants to adjust EU sanctions on Burma
to address banking sector concerns but will not accept
any weakening of measures against the Junta, MFA DAS-
equivalent for Southeast Asia Frederic Laplanche told
us December 1 in response to reftel points. With
respect to restructuring specific target lists, France
favors changes to Annex I because of what Laplanche
termed its excessive restrictions on banking. "The
name lists are so extensive that they block all bank
activity," he said. As for the overall sanctions
picture, Laplanche stressed that France and the EU
share the U.S. view on maintaining a united stance
with respect to the Junta and assuring that sanctions
are effective. A discussion about how to toughen
measures could occur in the context of EU Council
reauthorization for Burma sanctions, scheduled for
April 30, 2009.
2. (C) Poloff told Laplanche that the USG recognizes
the technical complexity of applying sanctions but
urges the EU to not make a restructuring decision on
Annex I that the Junta could interpret in any way as a
weakening of measures. In connection with this,
Poloff passed a copy of the OFAC paper (see reftel)
and emphasized that U.S. experts are prepared to
consult with French or EU officials on the matter.
Underlining that France favors a strong and effective
sanctions regime, Laplanche judged that the West's
efforts to squeeze the Junta to date have yielded
disappointing results. Against this backdrop, he
contended it is important for the United States and
Europe "to keep a foot in the door" in Burma and
attempt to influence political events through engaging
with the Burmese government and people. New or
tougher sanctions alone will not do the trick. "We do
not want to see the country isolate itself like North
Korea," Laplanche said.
3. (C) While France wants to avoid pushing Burma into
isolation, engagement should not proceed
unconditionally, Laplanche said. Noting that the
Secretary General's office currently drives Burma
policy at the United Nations, Laplanche expressed
agreement with the U.S. opinion that UN SYG Ban Ki-
moon should not visit Burma unless the Junta takes
concrete measures to improve the political and
humanitarian situation. "The Junta should not be
allowed to use Ban as a prop to advertise legitimacy,"
Laplanche concluded.
STAPLETON
SIPDIS
STATE PLEASE PASS EUR/ERA, EEB/ESC/TFS AND EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV EREL ETTC EFIN FR EU MY
SUBJECT: BURMA: FRANCE CONCERNED ABOUT BANK MEASURES IN EU
SANCTIONS REGIME
REF: STATE 125635
Classified By: Acting Political Deputy Gregory S. D'Elia. Reasons 1.4
(b/d).
1. (C) France wants to adjust EU sanctions on Burma
to address banking sector concerns but will not accept
any weakening of measures against the Junta, MFA DAS-
equivalent for Southeast Asia Frederic Laplanche told
us December 1 in response to reftel points. With
respect to restructuring specific target lists, France
favors changes to Annex I because of what Laplanche
termed its excessive restrictions on banking. "The
name lists are so extensive that they block all bank
activity," he said. As for the overall sanctions
picture, Laplanche stressed that France and the EU
share the U.S. view on maintaining a united stance
with respect to the Junta and assuring that sanctions
are effective. A discussion about how to toughen
measures could occur in the context of EU Council
reauthorization for Burma sanctions, scheduled for
April 30, 2009.
2. (C) Poloff told Laplanche that the USG recognizes
the technical complexity of applying sanctions but
urges the EU to not make a restructuring decision on
Annex I that the Junta could interpret in any way as a
weakening of measures. In connection with this,
Poloff passed a copy of the OFAC paper (see reftel)
and emphasized that U.S. experts are prepared to
consult with French or EU officials on the matter.
Underlining that France favors a strong and effective
sanctions regime, Laplanche judged that the West's
efforts to squeeze the Junta to date have yielded
disappointing results. Against this backdrop, he
contended it is important for the United States and
Europe "to keep a foot in the door" in Burma and
attempt to influence political events through engaging
with the Burmese government and people. New or
tougher sanctions alone will not do the trick. "We do
not want to see the country isolate itself like North
Korea," Laplanche said.
3. (C) While France wants to avoid pushing Burma into
isolation, engagement should not proceed
unconditionally, Laplanche said. Noting that the
Secretary General's office currently drives Burma
policy at the United Nations, Laplanche expressed
agreement with the U.S. opinion that UN SYG Ban Ki-
moon should not visit Burma unless the Junta takes
concrete measures to improve the political and
humanitarian situation. "The Junta should not be
allowed to use Ban as a prop to advertise legitimacy,"
Laplanche concluded.
STAPLETON