Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SOFIA188
2009-04-17 08:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:
WITH NO TIES TO BURMA, BULGARIA STILL ACTIVELY
how-toVZCZCXRO2229 RR RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSF #0188 1070847 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 170847Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5933 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000188
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
EAP/MLS FOR LAURA SCHEIBE
NSC FOR ELIZABETH PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2029
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD BM BU
SUBJECT: WITH NO TIES TO BURMA, BULGARIA STILL ACTIVELY
ENGAGED ON EU BURMA POLICY
REF: SECSTATE 33547
Classified By: Political Counselor Jim Bigus for reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000188
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
EAP/MLS FOR LAURA SCHEIBE
NSC FOR ELIZABETH PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2029
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD BM BU
SUBJECT: WITH NO TIES TO BURMA, BULGARIA STILL ACTIVELY
ENGAGED ON EU BURMA POLICY
REF: SECSTATE 33547
Classified By: Political Counselor Jim Bigus for reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
1. (C) On April 15, PolOff delivered reftel demarche to the
Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Desk Officer for Laos,
Cambodia, the Philipines, Thailand, and Burma, Ivan Velikov.
Though the Government of Bulgaria (GOB) does not have an
embassy in Burma or official diplomatic relations with the
military regime, Velikov said that Bulgaria's Ambassador in
Thailand recently accompanied other EU ambassadors on a visit
to Burma to assess the situation on the ground. In
discussions on the EU Common Position on Burma to be held
later this month, the GOB will share its concerns that
despite all efforts by the EU and the United Nations, there
remains no positive change toward democracy in Burma. The
GOB will note the need for continued international pressure
for the immediate release of political prisoners and the need
for dialogue amongst all parties in Burma, including the
opposition, regarding the preparations for elections. In
addition to the EU and UN efforts, Velikov said that the GOB
believes that it is necessary to rely heavily on other Asian
countries to pressure Burma. Most importantly, all
international efforts, especially the applications of
sanctions, must be coordinated. As an EU member, Veliko said
that Bulgaria will ultimately follow the EU position on the
issue of Burma.
Karagiannis
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
EAP/MLS FOR LAURA SCHEIBE
NSC FOR ELIZABETH PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2029
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD BM BU
SUBJECT: WITH NO TIES TO BURMA, BULGARIA STILL ACTIVELY
ENGAGED ON EU BURMA POLICY
REF: SECSTATE 33547
Classified By: Political Counselor Jim Bigus for reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
1. (C) On April 15, PolOff delivered reftel demarche to the
Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Desk Officer for Laos,
Cambodia, the Philipines, Thailand, and Burma, Ivan Velikov.
Though the Government of Bulgaria (GOB) does not have an
embassy in Burma or official diplomatic relations with the
military regime, Velikov said that Bulgaria's Ambassador in
Thailand recently accompanied other EU ambassadors on a visit
to Burma to assess the situation on the ground. In
discussions on the EU Common Position on Burma to be held
later this month, the GOB will share its concerns that
despite all efforts by the EU and the United Nations, there
remains no positive change toward democracy in Burma. The
GOB will note the need for continued international pressure
for the immediate release of political prisoners and the need
for dialogue amongst all parties in Burma, including the
opposition, regarding the preparations for elections. In
addition to the EU and UN efforts, Velikov said that the GOB
believes that it is necessary to rely heavily on other Asian
countries to pressure Burma. Most importantly, all
international efforts, especially the applications of
sanctions, must be coordinated. As an EU member, Veliko said
that Bulgaria will ultimately follow the EU position on the
issue of Burma.
Karagiannis