BURMA: EU CONCERNED ABOUT ASSK HEALTH, PREPARING

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000684 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS LAURA SCHEIBE; EUR/ERA E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2019 TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL BM EUN SUBJECT: BURMA: EU CONCERNED ABOUT ASSK HEALTH, PREPARING FOR MINISTERIAL REF: STATE 46562 Classified By: USEU Political M-C Chris Davis for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( d) ¶1. (C) Poloff shared reftel points with Leo Nordholt Schulte, Burma Desk Officer at the European Council General Secretariat on May 10. Schulte said that the EU shared U.S. concerns about the continued detention and health of Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK),and planned to raise her detention when the EU troika meets Burmese FM Win on May 25 on the margins of the ASEM meeting in Hanoi. Schulte does not think the EU will issue any public statement on her detention until the GOB publicly announces a decision on her release. He said that the EU is deeply concerned about ASSK's health, and requested information from the United States, if we had any, on her current status. Schulte said the EU was concerned about recent reports that her regular doctor had been detained and that the substitute doctor was having difficulty gaining access to ASSK to provide care. ¶2. (C) Schulte (strctly protect) told us that on Wednesday, May 13, the EU's Asia Working Party (COASI) woulddiscuss the "terms of reference" (talking points) for the May 25 ministerial meeting. The most recent draft contained the following points: -- Note recent April 27 GAERC conclusions on Burma. -- The EU is ready to review its restrictive measures at any time if the situation in Burma changes. The EU does not have to wait until April 2010 when the Common Position next is up for renewal. (Note: Schulte said the Burmese have often seemed confused about this point. End note.) -- The EU wants a renewed dialogue with Burma, at the most senior levels. -- Burma should immediately release ASSK and all other political prisoners, and allow them to participate in the upcoming elections. -- If Burma does not release ASSK, it should provide a legal explaination for its actions. -- The upcoming elections should include all ethnic groups, including the Rohinga. -- The EU takes note of positive steps to retain access to the delta region, and thanks Burma. -- The EU fully supports the United Nations and the Secretary-General's mission. EU Special Envoy Fassino enjoys the full support of the Member States. ¶3. (C) Schulte took careful note of our message on the unique opportunity of the Burmese to improve relations with the international community by releasing ASSK, and that we would be watching this in the context of our ongoing policy review. Schulte opined that it could be useful for the U.S. and the EU to demonstrate to the Burmese the convergence of our views. He suggested that the EU could share in their meeting with Burma that we both stand ready to quickly review our relationship with the GOB if action is taken on political prisoners and freedoms, such as the release of ASSK and others. Schulte said the EU would welcome specific language from the United States if we were interested in having the EU troika make a statement along those lines. He said that the EU would not mention the United States in its meeting with Burma unless we indicated it would be useful. MURRAY .