Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09THEHAGUE609
2009-10-09 17:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/BURMA: CAUTIOUS REACTION TO NEW U.S.
how-toVZCZCXRO7001 PP RUEHIK DE RUEHTC #0609 2821707 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 091707Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3344 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON PRIORITY 0125
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.
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
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