Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STOCKHOLM669
2009-10-23 14:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:
SWEDISH MFA: EU TESTING THE WATERS WITH BURMA
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C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000669
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN BM SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH MFA: EU TESTING THE WATERS WITH BURMA
Classified By: PolCouns Marc Koehler for reasons 1.4 (B) & (D).
(C) Swedish MFA Director General for Asia Klas Molin
discussed Burma with Poloffs during an October 22 meeting on
North Korea (septel). His main points were:
--On October 28, the EU will discuss the way forward with
Burma at the EU's Working Group on Asia (COASI). Sweden
holds the rotating EU Presidency, so Molin will chair the
meeting.
--The EU "measures" its own policy against U.S. policy and
wants to coordinate positions and actions with the U.S.
"Australia feels the same way."
--Discussion on the way forward with Burma has been heated
among EU Member States. For now, all agree to tread
cautiously and continue to "test the waters for
opportunities." The EU is working on a list of ways to
"probe" the regime over the next few months, while remaining
firm on human rights. A preliminary probe might be a
non-political meeting at a large multilateral event.
--The Burmese regime has a "warped world view" and is
"seeking legitimacy" for its elections. Usually, the outside
world is not important to the regime; the new willingness to
engage with the outside world might be the result of Chinese
pressure.
--If Aung San Suu Kyi wants to play a role, the West should
enable her, but must be "cautious" because she has her own
interests.
--The Spanish EU Presidency will be more in favor of
engagement with Burma than the Swedish Presidency has been.
BARZUN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN BM SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH MFA: EU TESTING THE WATERS WITH BURMA
Classified By: PolCouns Marc Koehler for reasons 1.4 (B) & (D).
(C) Swedish MFA Director General for Asia Klas Molin
discussed Burma with Poloffs during an October 22 meeting on
North Korea (septel). His main points were:
--On October 28, the EU will discuss the way forward with
Burma at the EU's Working Group on Asia (COASI). Sweden
holds the rotating EU Presidency, so Molin will chair the
meeting.
--The EU "measures" its own policy against U.S. policy and
wants to coordinate positions and actions with the U.S.
"Australia feels the same way."
--Discussion on the way forward with Burma has been heated
among EU Member States. For now, all agree to tread
cautiously and continue to "test the waters for
opportunities." The EU is working on a list of ways to
"probe" the regime over the next few months, while remaining
firm on human rights. A preliminary probe might be a
non-political meeting at a large multilateral event.
--The Burmese regime has a "warped world view" and is
"seeking legitimacy" for its elections. Usually, the outside
world is not important to the regime; the new willingness to
engage with the outside world might be the result of Chinese
pressure.
--If Aung San Suu Kyi wants to play a role, the West should
enable her, but must be "cautious" because she has her own
interests.
--The Spanish EU Presidency will be more in favor of
engagement with Burma than the Swedish Presidency has been.
BARZUN