Canada working "behind the scenes" on democratic reform in

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000867

NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS LAURA SCHEIBE
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PASS TO AMCONSUL QUEBEC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/12/03
TAGS: PREL PHUM BM CA
SUBJECT: Canada working "behind the scenes" on democratic reform in
Burma

REF: STATE 121789

CLASSIFIED BY: Scott Bellard, Minister Counselor for Political
Affairs, State, POL; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)


1. (C/NF) Canada is working "behind the scenes" on new ideas for
advancing democratic reform in Burma and welcomes U.S. high level
engagement with the Burmese government (reftel),according to Erin
Koenig, deskoff for Burma, Thailand, and Regional Human Rights in
the Southeast Asia and Oceania Relations Division of the Department
of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). Koenig
commented that USG efforts are "consistent" with Canada's goals for
"national reconciliation and dialogue between the national
opposition and the junta. " She added that DFAIT would consider a
public statement from Canada echoing a call for political reform.




2. (C/NF) Koenig insisted that Burma was "one of the most
important items on the agenda" internally at DFAIT and that "like
the EU," Canada is "looking within at our own policy to build new
approaches to Burma for reform with the 2010 elections." As part
of DFAIT's internal review, Koenig requested any additional
information on A/S Campbell's trip to Burma. Koenig confirmed to
poloff that Canada had also held "numerous" bilateral meetings on
the margins of the recent APEC Leaders' Summit, at which political
reform in Burma was "high on the agenda" and "emphasized in the
talking points" with ASEAN partners.




3. (U) Koenig and Southeast Asia and Oceania Relations Division
Director Nadia Burger plan to travel to Washington in December to
meet with State Department interlocutors on U.S. Burma policy, but
have not yet set their exact travel dates.
JACOBSON