Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CANBERRA892
2009-09-29 07:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS NEW BURMA APPROACH
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C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000892
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT EAP/MLS FOR SCHIEBE
NSC FOR WALTON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV BM AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS NEW BURMA APPROACH
REF: STATE 100518
Classified By: Political and Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan for Reason
s 1.4 (b/d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000892
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT EAP/MLS FOR SCHIEBE
NSC FOR WALTON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV BM AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS NEW BURMA APPROACH
REF: STATE 100518
Classified By: Political and Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan for Reason
s 1.4 (b/d)
1. (C/NF) Summary: Australia supports the Burma Policy Review
Conclusions and is conducting its own review of Burma policy.
Brendon Hammer, First Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia
at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, reacted very
positively to the Burma Policy Review Conclusions (reftel)
and termed new engagement with Burma as "worth trying." He
thanked us for delivering the points prior to public release
and noted that the Australian Embassy would likely seek
clarification in Washington on our approach to the 2010
elections. Hammer did not have a time frame for completion
of Australia's Burma policy review, stating that it will be
less formal than what we have done and that it will
ultimately come down to a discussion between Prime Minister
Rudd and Foreign Minister Smith. End Summary.
Australia Supports Engagement
--------------
2. (C/NF) Poleconcouns delivered reftel demarche on September
29 and stressed the significance of the new U.S. willingness
to engage with Burma. Hammer said Australia fully supports
the new policy, especially since it negates the argument made
by many countries that the problem was lack of U.S.
engagement. He was not optimistic, but said new engagement
was well worth the effort. Hammer wondered how other
countries in the region would react and promised to apprise
us of anything Australia hears in the regional capitals. He
noted that that China doesn't want Burma to "go the way of
North Korea."
Australian Burma Policy Review
--------------
3. (C/NF) Hammer also told us that the Australians are
currently conducting their own Burma policy review. He did
not know when the review would be complete, nor did he think
it would lead to a formal policy document. To his knowledge,
Hammer did not think Prime Minister Rudd and Foreign Minister
Smith had formally discussed Burma. On timing, Hammer
speculated that Foreign Minister Smith might make some
statement to Parliament on Burma towards the end of October
when Australian sanctions come up for renewal.
CLUNE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT EAP/MLS FOR SCHIEBE
NSC FOR WALTON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV BM AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS NEW BURMA APPROACH
REF: STATE 100518
Classified By: Political and Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan for Reason
s 1.4 (b/d)
1. (C/NF) Summary: Australia supports the Burma Policy Review
Conclusions and is conducting its own review of Burma policy.
Brendon Hammer, First Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia
at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, reacted very
positively to the Burma Policy Review Conclusions (reftel)
and termed new engagement with Burma as "worth trying." He
thanked us for delivering the points prior to public release
and noted that the Australian Embassy would likely seek
clarification in Washington on our approach to the 2010
elections. Hammer did not have a time frame for completion
of Australia's Burma policy review, stating that it will be
less formal than what we have done and that it will
ultimately come down to a discussion between Prime Minister
Rudd and Foreign Minister Smith. End Summary.
Australia Supports Engagement
--------------
2. (C/NF) Poleconcouns delivered reftel demarche on September
29 and stressed the significance of the new U.S. willingness
to engage with Burma. Hammer said Australia fully supports
the new policy, especially since it negates the argument made
by many countries that the problem was lack of U.S.
engagement. He was not optimistic, but said new engagement
was well worth the effort. Hammer wondered how other
countries in the region would react and promised to apprise
us of anything Australia hears in the regional capitals. He
noted that that China doesn't want Burma to "go the way of
North Korea."
Australian Burma Policy Review
--------------
3. (C/NF) Hammer also told us that the Australians are
currently conducting their own Burma policy review. He did
not know when the review would be complete, nor did he think
it would lead to a formal policy document. To his knowledge,
Hammer did not think Prime Minister Rudd and Foreign Minister
Smith had formally discussed Burma. On timing, Hammer
speculated that Foreign Minister Smith might make some
statement to Parliament on Burma towards the end of October
when Australian sanctions come up for renewal.
CLUNE