Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09WARSAW424
2009-04-20 14:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Warsaw
Cable title:
POLAND: BURMA SANCTIONS SHOULD BE BETTER TARGETED
how-toVZCZCXRO4174 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHWR #0424 1101403 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 201403Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY WARSAW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8209 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0055
C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 000424
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS (SCHEIBE); NSC FOR ELIZABETH PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD BM PL
SUBJECT: POLAND: BURMA SANCTIONS SHOULD BE BETTER TARGETED
REF: STATE 33547
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR DAN SAINZ FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D
)
C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 000424
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS (SCHEIBE); NSC FOR ELIZABETH PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD BM PL
SUBJECT: POLAND: BURMA SANCTIONS SHOULD BE BETTER TARGETED
REF: STATE 33547
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR DAN SAINZ FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D
)
1. (C) The Polish MFA supports the concept of
"better-targeted" U.S. and EU sanctions against Burma and
strengthening diplomatic engagement with the regime. On
April 17, Danuta Bolimowska, First Counselor at the MFA's
Africa-Pacific Department, told us that she was encouraged by
the U.S. review of its policy towards Burma, because the
current EU and U.S. policies of isolating Burma have failed
to "bring the results we desired." While the MFA recognizes
it would be inappropriate to lift all sanctions against Burma
immediately, it seeks a "smarter, more targeted approach"
that causes "less harm to the people we're trying to help."
2. (C) At the same time, Bolimowska asserted the EU should
step up direct diplomatic engagement with Rangoon and try to
persuade China and ASEAN nations to play a more active and
constructive role in Burma. She argued that the EU has
limited leverage, but Burma's neighbors have the opportunity
to exert more influence through their proximity and economic
relationships.
3. (C) Turning to the UN, Bolimowska said that oppositionists
in Burma told her they are becoming increasingly disenchanted
with the performance of UN Special Envoy to Burma Ibrahim
Gambari, whom she repeatedly described as
"ineffective"--despite his many visits to Burma--and lacking
respect, even among those in government. Bolimowska asserted
that Gambari appears to appease the regime in Burma at the
expense of human rights. She emphasized that while Poland
fully supports the activities of the UN Secretary General,
she personally believed that Gambari's effectiveness as a UN
envoy should be reviewed.
ASHE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS (SCHEIBE); NSC FOR ELIZABETH PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD BM PL
SUBJECT: POLAND: BURMA SANCTIONS SHOULD BE BETTER TARGETED
REF: STATE 33547
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR DAN SAINZ FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D
)
1. (C) The Polish MFA supports the concept of
"better-targeted" U.S. and EU sanctions against Burma and
strengthening diplomatic engagement with the regime. On
April 17, Danuta Bolimowska, First Counselor at the MFA's
Africa-Pacific Department, told us that she was encouraged by
the U.S. review of its policy towards Burma, because the
current EU and U.S. policies of isolating Burma have failed
to "bring the results we desired." While the MFA recognizes
it would be inappropriate to lift all sanctions against Burma
immediately, it seeks a "smarter, more targeted approach"
that causes "less harm to the people we're trying to help."
2. (C) At the same time, Bolimowska asserted the EU should
step up direct diplomatic engagement with Rangoon and try to
persuade China and ASEAN nations to play a more active and
constructive role in Burma. She argued that the EU has
limited leverage, but Burma's neighbors have the opportunity
to exert more influence through their proximity and economic
relationships.
3. (C) Turning to the UN, Bolimowska said that oppositionists
in Burma told her they are becoming increasingly disenchanted
with the performance of UN Special Envoy to Burma Ibrahim
Gambari, whom she repeatedly described as
"ineffective"--despite his many visits to Burma--and lacking
respect, even among those in government. Bolimowska asserted
that Gambari appears to appease the regime in Burma at the
expense of human rights. She emphasized that while Poland
fully supports the activities of the UN Secretary General,
she personally believed that Gambari's effectiveness as a UN
envoy should be reviewed.
ASHE