POLAND'S RESPONSE TO BURMA REFERENDUM DEMARCHE

C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 000370 SIPDIS SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO EAP/MLS AARON COPE AND IO/UNP PAUL WICKBERG E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2018 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PL BM SUBJECT: POLAND'S RESPONSE TO BURMA REFERENDUM DEMARCHE REF: SECSTATE 26677 ¶1. (C) On March 19, PolOff delivered reftel demarche to MFA,s Burma desk officer Sebastian Domzalski. Domzalski stated that the GOP shares the U.S. concerns regarding the planned May referendum on the Burmese constitution. He noted that although Poland is unlikely to make a bilateral statement on the matter, the GOP is continuing to support the EU position and policy on Burma. According to Domzalski, as a result of recent EU discussions, the EU,s approach is 1) further extension of sanctions that impact the junta but have as minimal effect on the general public as possible, 2) increase humanitarian aid, and 3) engagement of regional players and neighbors in putting pressure on the Burmese regime to encourage transition to democracy. ¶2. (C) The GOP does not have a mission in Burma, however, Domzalski noted that the mission in Bangkok is in contact with the representatives of the opposition. He stated that the Ryszard Schnepf, MFA Undersecretary responsible for International Policy during his February visit to Bangkok met with the representatives of the opposition and assured them of Polish support. ASHE