DEMARCHE: PHILIPPINES SUPPORTS EXTENDING THE

UNCLAS MANILA 000110 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS JOHN EMERY DEPARTMENT FOR F NSC FOR ELIZABETH PHU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD PHUM PREL RP BM SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: PHILIPPINES SUPPORTS EXTENDING THE TRIPARTITE CORE GROUP IN BURMA REF: STATE 03932 ¶1. (SBU) The Political Cooperation Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Southeast Asia Division confirmed January 16 that the Philippine government strongly supports extending for an additional year the mandate of the Tripartite Core Group (TCG) in Burma. The Political Cooperation Office said that the Southeast Asia Division is being reorganized in the wake of the ratification of the ASEAN Charter, but that does not affect the broad consensus within DFA and the Philippine Government to continue with post-Nargis humanitarian assistance to Burma. ¶2. (SBU) While DFA has not yet finalized its instructions for the January 17 Humanitarian Task Force meeting DFA stressed that the Philippine Government stil strongly supports the TCG mechanism and will endorse its extension at the meeting. KENNEY