Cablegate: Czechs: Eu Evaluating Additional Burma Sanctions

VZCZCXRO7103
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHPG #1169 2961451
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231451Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9741
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS PRAGUE 001169

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR ALEX TRATENSEK, EAP/MLS FOR AARON COPE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM CVIS ETRD BM EU EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS: EU EVALUATING ADDITIONAL BURMA SANCTIONS

REF: A. STATE 146862

B. PRAGUE 1158
C. PRAGUE 1124
D. PRAGUE 1086

(SBU) Czech Director of Human Rights and Transition Policy,
Gabriela Dlouha, thanked us for providing details related to
our most recently imposed sanctions against Burma. Dlouha
and Embassy Officials have discussed the Czechs' support of
human rights and democracy in Burma numerous times, as well
as their engagement within the EU on this topic (reftels B,
C, and D). With respect to strengthening existing EU
sanctions, she referenced the EU Foreign Ministers discussion
on October 15 and 16 at the General Affairs and External
Relations Council (GAERC). The Foreign Ministers announced
in their GAERC conclusions that they stood ready to "review,
amend or reinforce" their current measures in light of
developments on the ground. They also specifically
referenced a potential ban on new investments as one measure
they have requested advice on from the relevant EU bodies.
The Czechs support this approach.
ThompsonJones

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