Cablegate: Czechs - Appreciate Sanction Details On Burma

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DE RUEHPG #1235 3201625
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 161625Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9830
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS PRAGUE 001235

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SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDED SENSITIVE CAPTION)

EAP/MLS FOR ACOPE, EUR/NCE FOR ATRATENSEK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ETRD EFIN BM EZ EUN
SUBJECT: CZECHS - APPRECIATE SANCTION DETAILS ON BURMA

REF: A. STATE 156474

B. STATE 148531

1. (SBU) Embassy Officials met with Vaclav Balek, Czech MFA
Director of the Department of Common Foreign and Security
Policy as well as Karel Korynta (Director) and Adirana
Bartova (international department) at the Financial
Analytical Unit of the Ministry of Finance, to discuss
expanding sanctions against Burma. Balek thanked us for our
details regarding expanding sanctions against the regime in
Burma, particularly the information that a DVC was scheduled
for November 16 among U.S. and EU working-level experts on
this issue. He noted that Burma will be discussed at the EU
General Affairs and External Relations Council on November
19, although he did not have a comment on what, if any,
action the EU Foreign Ministers might take.

2.(SBU) Korynta and Bartova, who are the officials that
implement sanctions once agreement is reached on policy and
legislation, or once directives are issued, said that they
last heard from the EU in October once the EU decided it
would strengthen existing sanctions. Timber and gem mining
are two industries specifically targeted. Interestingly,
they indicated that there is/was consideration of limiting EU
foreign direct investment in Burma.

Graber

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