ESTONIA: HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO BURMA

UNCLAS TALLINN 000161 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS AARON COPE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL BM EN SUBJECT: ESTONIA: HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO BURMA RESPONSE REF: STATE 48651 ¶1. On May 9, Poloff delivered reftel points to Eero Saue, Acting MFA Burmese Desk Officer and Marje Luup, MFA Division Director for Development Cooperation. In his response, Saue indicated that the Government of Estonia (GOE) is deeply concerned for the fate of people of Burma and has announced a donation of USD 50,000 to help alleviate the suffering of the Burmese people in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis. As the GOE made the donation through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, it did not encounter any obstacles. ¶2. Saue agreed that international pressure on the Burmese regime should be maintained bilaterally and through international organizations. He added that coordination between the EU and the United States is important, and that aid efforts should be closely coordinated by entities on the ground, with a central role for the UN. In a statement on May 8, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said the situation in Burma is grave and it is crucial that the leaders of Burma's junta allow the international community to help the victims. PHILLIPS