NETHERLANDS/BURMA: CAUTIOUS REACTION TO NEW U.S.

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000609 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV BM NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/BURMA: CAUTIOUS REACTION TO NEW U.S. POLICY REF: A. SECSTATE 100518 ¶B. THE HAGUE 301 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Dutch reaction to the new U.S. Burma policy is cautious, noting that the United States should emphasize its continuing resolve to encourage reform in Burma. The Dutch would welcome further updates and clarifications. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) On October 8, the Dutch MFA Burma desk officer Annelies Faro told post that one EU member had proposed weakening the EU's human rights resolution condemning Burma, arguing that the new U.S. policy supported a softer approach (the remaining EU states immediately rejected the idea). In addition, after the U.S. announcement, ASEAN nations pulled back from a proposal to send a joint letter to Burma calling on the release Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK). Faro urged the U.S. to continue to stress the firm position of demanding reform from the GOB. Faro noted that among the overtures to the international community from the GOB has been the recent agreement to allow the Dutch ambassador to present credentials in Rangoon, after a wait of 18 months. ¶3. (SBU) Faro asked for clarification about whom U.S. officials are consulting in Rangoon -- the generals or their deputies -- and an assessment of progress from talks between the GOB and ASSK. In addition, Faro expressed concern about reported military movements in ceasefire areas, and wondered whether overtures toward the international community might be a distraction from future military actions that may be planned by the GOB. LEVIN