HUNGARY WITH THE EU ON BURMA ENGAGEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000286 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS LAURA SCHEIBE AND EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE. PLEASE PASS TO ELIZABETH PHU AT THE NSC. E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD BM HU SUBJECT: HUNGARY WITH THE EU ON BURMA ENGAGEMENT REF: STATE 33547 Classified By: Acting P/E Counselor Jon Martinson, reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) MFA Asia/Pacific Deputy Director Laszlo Kuti and desk officer David Ambrus discussed reftel with PolOff on April 9. While acknowledging that Hungary has very limited contact, including trade, with Burma, Kuti said that the GOH fully supports the EU Common Position, and expects no changes at the upcoming April 27-28 GAERC meeting. Kuti noted that Hungary participated in a quasi-committee meeting on April 8 to discuss the annexes related to Burma sanctions, and Ambrus expressed the belief that the annexes should be "more targeted and more precise." ¶2. (C) Continuing, Kuti commented that Hungary has a very good relationship with EU Special Representative for Burma Piero Fassino, and the GOH is working with him to find a "balanced EU position on Burma." Noting that closed communication channels "do the Burmese regime a favor," Kuti stressed that limited engagement is essential in such areas as humanitarian aid and support to the opposition. Ambrus, drawing a parallel to Burma, suggested that cold-war engagement with Soviet block countries contributed to the political changes of 1989-1990, whereas long-term policies to isolate countries such as North Korea and Cuba find those long-standing regimes still in place. ¶3. (C) In closing, Kuti expressed appreciation for the Treasury Department's paper and looks forward to further coordination on the Burma issue following the USG's policy review. Levine