Cablegate: Spain: Burma Human Rights/Sanctions Demarches

VZCZCXRO8951
PP RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHMD #2030 2981040
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 251040Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3687
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0079
RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 3145

UNCLAS MADRID 002030

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS (COPE)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM CVIS ETRD BM SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN: BURMA HUMAN RIGHTS/SANCTIONS DEMARCHES
DELIVERED

REF: A. STATE 142626

B. STATE 146862

Poloff discussed REFTEL A points on October 15 and REFTEL B
points on October 23 with Jose Luis Garcia Galan, MFA Deputy
Director General for Southeast Asia, and Fernando Fernandez
Arias, Director of the MFA Human Rights Office. We requested
information about Spain's efforts to support human rights and
democracy in Burma and encouraged greater funding for any
such programs. We urged Spain to consider implementing
financial sanctions against the Burmese regime, particularly
bans on the export of financial services and on new
investment. The Spanish officials appreciated being kept
apprised of recent U.S. sanctions on the regime, but said
that Spain does not have an Embassy in Burma and maintains
only limited contact. However, they said they would lend
their support to whatever punitive actions the EU decides to
take. The GOS would appreciate information on future U.S.
initiatives to support the Burmese people.
AGUIRRE

© Scoop Media