Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RIGA43
2008-01-22 14:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riga
Cable title:  

LATVIA SUPPORTIVE OF BANS ON BURMESE GEMS AND

Tags:  PREL ETRD PHUM BM LG 
pdf how-to read a cable
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PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHRA #0043 0221412
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 221412Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY RIGA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4670
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000043 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS (AARON COPE)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2018
TAGS: PREL ETRD PHUM BM LG
SUBJECT: LATVIA SUPPORTIVE OF BANS ON BURMESE GEMS AND
HARDWOODS

REF: STATE 05276

Classified By: Ambassador Catherine Todd Bailey for Reason 1.4(d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000043

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS (AARON COPE)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2018
TAGS: PREL ETRD PHUM BM LG
SUBJECT: LATVIA SUPPORTIVE OF BANS ON BURMESE GEMS AND
HARDWOODS

REF: STATE 05276

Classified By: Ambassador Catherine Todd Bailey for Reason 1.4(d).


1. (C) PolEconOff delivered reftel points January 22 to Signe
Jansone, the A/S level official that covers Asia at the MFA,
and Dana Rudaka, Head of Asia and Oceania. Regarding the
status of the implementation of the European Council's
October 2007 decision to restrict investment and trade with
Burma in the mining and logging sectors, Jansone stated that
the pertinent institutions within the GOL have been informed
of this policy. However, it should be noted that Latvia has
no known trade contacts with Burma.


2. (C) Jansone noted that several Ambassadors from ASEAN
nations accredited to Latvia have told her in phone
conversations that the Burmese regime has reached out to
these nations and asked for guidance on what the regime might
do to facilitate democracy in Burma. Jansone noted that such
actions on the part of the Burmese authorities may simply be
a stalling tactic used by the regime to create the impression
within ASEAN nations that it is making some efforts toward
reform.


3. (C) Comment: In general, the GOL supports U.S. efforts to
ratchet up pressure on the regime--including bans on burmese
gems and hardwoods. However, to date, the GOL has not shown
a willingness to take a strong leadership role on the issue
within the EU.
BAILEY