ROK IN SYNC WITH U.S. POSITIONS ON BURMA AID

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 001060 SIPDIS EAP/MLS FOR AARON COPE E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2018 TAGS: KS PGOV PHUM BM EAID SUBJECT: ROK IN SYNC WITH U.S. POSITIONS ON BURMA AID REF: A. STATE 55244 ¶B. STATE 53985 Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Yun. Reasons 1.4(b/d) ¶1. (C) Seo Eunji, MOFAT Deputy Director for Humanitarian Assistance, said on May 23 that the ROK had the same views as the U.S. concerning the priorities of the May 25 conference. The ROK was concerned about the lack of access granted by Burmese officials to international humanitarian aid workers, and agreed that a needs assessment mechanism through either the U.N. or an international organization was needed, said Ms. Seo. The ROK had already pledged USD 2.5 million for Cyclone Nargis relief efforts, but had no plans to pledge any additional funds at the May 25 conference because of the same concerns that the U.S. had cited. ¶2. (C) Ms. Seo stated that Vice Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan, whose portfolio includes multilateral issues and international organizations, would lead the Korean delegation to the conference. Three additional MOFAT officials would accompany VFM Kim. VERSHBOW