SWEDISH RESPONSE AND EU DECLARATION ON AUNG SAN

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000507

SIPDIS

EAP/MLS LAURA SCHEIBE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL BM SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH RESPONSE AND EU DECLARATION ON AUNG SAN
SUU KYI'S CONVICTION

REF: STATE 83598


1. (U) Summary: The news of Aung San Suu Kyi's (ASSK)
conviction prompted strong reactions, both from Swedish
officials and from the Swedish EU Presidency. All sources
condemned the verdict and weighed in on the possible effects
of sanctions on Burma and against those responsible for the
verdict. FM Carl Bildt also hinted at possible international
demands for an arms embargo against Burma from the UN
Security Council. End Summary.


2. (U) On August 11, PM Fredrik Reinfeldt gave an early
morning Swedish television interview in which he condemned
the verdict against ASSK, saying this was the regime's way of
getting rid of the most important political opponent before
the election next year. Reinfeldt noted that the EU has
applied sanctions against Burma since 1996, but he indicated
the EU sanctions alone will not make a significant impact.
French leadership on this matter is critical, according to
Reinfeldt, because France trades the most with Burma. To
make an impact, all countries must rally around the measures,
said Reinfeldt, adding that China remains "a problem" because
China views ASSK's conviction as a "domestic issue."


3. (U) FM Bildt wrote on his August 11 blog that the Burmese
regime "obviously hesitated before announcing the sentence,"
perhaps as a result of the strengthening international
coalition on this issue. Bildt reiterated that the EU had
already prepared a decision "aimed at the persons responsible
for this verdict and other measures against the regime's
financial interests." Regarding an international arms
embargo against Burma, Bildt wrote, "It would, of course, be
great if it would be possible to gather the UN Security
Council for a decision of that nature." It goes without
saying, he added, that the EU would support such a decision.
Bildt concluded that ASSK's conviction means that Sweden and
the EU should continue to "give Burma high priority."


4. (U) In a statement appearing on the Swedish EU Presidency
website on August 11, the EU condemned the verdict against
ASSK and other political prisoners in Burma/Myanmar. The
declaration emphasized that ASSK had been wrongly arrested
and urged "authorities to immediately and unconditionally
release her." Noting that there have been numerous
high-level protests over ASSK's arrest, including from the UN
Secretary-General and several ASEAN Member States, the
declaration stated that the EU will respond with "targeted
measures against those responsible for the verdict." The
declaration continued, "the EU will further reinforce its
restrictive measures targeting the regime of Burma/Myanmar,
including its economic interests." Echoing reftel points,
the EU recognized prisoner release as an "essential first
step in the process of reconciliation" ahead of the 2010
elections." The full text of the declaration is available on
Swedish EU Presidency website at www.se2009.eu.


5. (U) In response to reftel demarche points, Carl-Magnus
Nilsson, MFA Burma Desk Officer, told Poloff on August 13
that the EU had already drafted a statement early this spring
to release upon a negative verdict. After a "long and
thorough discussion," the statement was agreed on at the July
GAERC and released August 11. Nilsson also pointed to the
European Council's adoption of a new set of targeted measures
(2009/351/CFSP),released publicly on August 13, against
Burma/Myanmar outlining a travel ban and an asset freeze for
members of the judiciary responsible for the verdict and for
entities owned and controlled by members of the regime.


6. (U) Post will continue to monitor Sweden's policy towards
Burma and it's efforts within the EU on sanctioning Burma.
SILVERMAN