DEMARCHE DELIVERED: NEW BURMA SANCTIONS: POLAND

C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 000934 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS LAURA SCHEIBE E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2018 TAGS: PGOV ETRD BM PL SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: NEW BURMA SANCTIONS: POLAND REF: STATE 83719 Classified By: Econ Counselor M. Sessums for reasons: 1.4 (b,d) (C) EconOff delivered reftel demarche on August 6 to Sebastian Domzalski, Burma desk officer at the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Domzalski agreed that there has been little progress in Burma, citing prolongation of Aung San Suu Kyi's "imprisonment." He had spoken that morning to Poland's EU representative in Brussels, who stated that further consideration of Burma sanctions is "on the EU agenda," but Domzalski doubted anything would happen until after the August vacation period. Poland supports EU sanctions, but believes that dialogue with Burma's neighbors is equally important. In particular, Thailand, the incoming chairman of ASEAN, has an important role to play. Domzalski added that, as a result of MFA Vice Minister Ryszard Schnepf's late June visit to Bangkok, where Schnepf met with Burmese opposition leaders and humanitarian agencies, Poland is considering granting additional aid to Burma. Domzalski also noted the need for humanitarian aid for refugees in camps along the Thailand-Burma border. QUANRUD