Brussels, 03/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - European diplomats explained on Tuesday 3 April that the European Union had held a debate on what sanctions should be lifted against the Burmese authorities. The AFP agency reported that according to one diplomat, “some countries are appealing for a total lifting of sanctions, whilst others support a partial lifting”. The United Kingdom and the Scandinavian countries are more in favour of a “gradual, stage by stage” approach to ensure the democratisation process and continuation of reforms. They would like to keep sections in place against the perpetrators of human rights violations, in addition to the oil embargo. Other countries, such as France, want to go further “in favour of lifting different sanctions”, indicated another diplomatic source. Whatever happens, “there will be a tendency to certainly take into account the political dynamic introduced by the general elections”, when the Foreign Affairs Council meets on 23 April, explained a third diplomatic source. More than 500 people and 900 organisations are subject to sanctions, such as the precious stones and wood sectors. (CG/transl.fl)