DEMARCHE DELIVERED: AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S CONVICTION

UNCLAS SOFIA 000457 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS LSHEIBE, EUR/CE FOR MORENO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BM EU HU PGOV PHUM PREL BU SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S CONVICTION REF: STATE 83598 ¶1. (SBU) On August 17, EmbOffs delivered reftel talking points on the Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) conviction to Ivan Velikov of the Asia, Australia, and Oceania Directorate at the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Velikov agreed with the U.S. position and stated that Bulgaria fully supports the EU declaration stating that the verdict is a breech of international law. Velikov added that Burma must release ASSK and the other 2,100 political prisoners for the 2010 elections to be considered fair and legitimate. ¶2. (SBU) Bulgaria maintains no official relations with Burma and will support additional sanctions against the Burmese regime, and/or individuals and companies connected to the regime. At this time, Bulgaria has not issued a separate public statement against the verdict, but is contemplating such a statement. ORDWAY