Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PARIS1706
2009-12-16 16:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRANCE FULLY SUPPORTS U.S. POLICY ON BURMA
how-toVZCZCXRO7996 PP RUEHAG RUEHDT RUEHPB RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHFR #1706 3501639 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 161639Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7899 INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2144 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1850 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 0481 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1339 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 0019 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 1843 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 3140 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1769
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001706
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/16/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV BM FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE FULLY SUPPORTS U.S. POLICY ON BURMA
REF: STATE 121789
Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Young, Reasons 1.4(b),(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001706
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/16/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV BM FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE FULLY SUPPORTS U.S. POLICY ON BURMA
REF: STATE 121789
Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Young, Reasons 1.4(b),(d).
1. (C) France fully supports current U.S. policy on Burma and
wants to work closely with the U.S. to insure a coordinated
approach, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Southeast
Asia DAS-equivalent Charles-Henri Brosseau, who spoke to
POLCOUNS on December 10, 2009. Brosseau noted that the
French have been working closely with their British
counterparts and that there is a growing consensus within the
EU in support of a policy of dialogue with the GOB.
2. (C) The French and the EU want to encourage concrete
gestures of good faith from the GOB, such as permission for
the French and other resident EU Ambassadors in Rangoon to
have regular access to Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) and the
overall softening of the GOB's treatment of her. To promote
such concessions, the EU is considering sending a high-level
delegation to Burma. The Swedish Presidency of the EU may
try to discuss such a mission with the Burmese delegation on
the margins of the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change.
3. (C) Brosseau acknowledged the importance of pressing the
GOB to allow ASSK to meet with the National League for
Democracy (NLD) leadership independent of government
interference. He referenced his recent trip to Burma where
he witnessed significant divisions within the top leadership
of the NLD, but noted that the NLD Executive Committee
remains unified behind ASSK.
4. (C) In addition to coordinating policy with the U.S.,
Brosseau stressed that the French recognized the important
role of Asian countries as a means of influencing the
government of Burma and cited the ASEAN countries, India, and
Japan as key. He singled out India as having the potential
to play a significant role, given its status as the world's
largest democracy, but expressed concern that ASEAN's
efficacy vis-a-vis the GOB may be limited due to divisions
within the organization and continuing domestic turmoil in
Thailand. While recognizing that China could play an
important role, he shared the view that China has taken an
inconsistent approach with the GOB.
RIVKIN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/16/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV BM FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE FULLY SUPPORTS U.S. POLICY ON BURMA
REF: STATE 121789
Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Young, Reasons 1.4(b),(d).
1. (C) France fully supports current U.S. policy on Burma and
wants to work closely with the U.S. to insure a coordinated
approach, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Southeast
Asia DAS-equivalent Charles-Henri Brosseau, who spoke to
POLCOUNS on December 10, 2009. Brosseau noted that the
French have been working closely with their British
counterparts and that there is a growing consensus within the
EU in support of a policy of dialogue with the GOB.
2. (C) The French and the EU want to encourage concrete
gestures of good faith from the GOB, such as permission for
the French and other resident EU Ambassadors in Rangoon to
have regular access to Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) and the
overall softening of the GOB's treatment of her. To promote
such concessions, the EU is considering sending a high-level
delegation to Burma. The Swedish Presidency of the EU may
try to discuss such a mission with the Burmese delegation on
the margins of the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change.
3. (C) Brosseau acknowledged the importance of pressing the
GOB to allow ASSK to meet with the National League for
Democracy (NLD) leadership independent of government
interference. He referenced his recent trip to Burma where
he witnessed significant divisions within the top leadership
of the NLD, but noted that the NLD Executive Committee
remains unified behind ASSK.
4. (C) In addition to coordinating policy with the U.S.,
Brosseau stressed that the French recognized the important
role of Asian countries as a means of influencing the
government of Burma and cited the ASEAN countries, India, and
Japan as key. He singled out India as having the potential
to play a significant role, given its status as the world's
largest democracy, but expressed concern that ASEAN's
efficacy vis-a-vis the GOB may be limited due to divisions
within the organization and continuing domestic turmoil in
Thailand. While recognizing that China could play an
important role, he shared the view that China has taken an
inconsistent approach with the GOB.
RIVKIN