GOB'S CONCERNS OVER AUGUST 7 SECURITY INCIDENT

UNCLAS RANGOON 000951 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PGOV BM SUBJECT: GOB'S CONCERNS OVER AUGUST 7 SECURITY INCIDENT ¶1. Post has received information from the Department that uniformed Secret Service arrested 3 Burmese students at the Burmese embassy the morning of August 7 after they tried to use a ladder to remove the Burmese flag and replace it with their own (a Burmese dissident report on the incident said they were attempting to unfurl a banner from a balcony that said "EXPEL THE AMBASSADOR NOW"). There is also a vigil planned by the students for 8:00 p.m. on August 8. Post understands that SS has beefed up security at the chancery and the Ambassador's residence and that the Burmese will request a permanent fixed post. ¶2. The COM was called to the Foreign Ministry late Friday afternoon, August 8, to meet with the Director General for Political Affairs. The reason for the summons was to express the GOB's concern over the incident detailed below. The DG confirmed that the Burmese Embassy was receiving a response to their request for extra security but wanted to reiterate the GOB's concern, especially as it relates to the intrusion into diplomatic premises. The DG said they could "deal with protests" but were worried that "things could get out of hand". The COM assured the DG that the U.S. Government took its responsibility for protecting diplomatic missions with the utmost seriousness and that she would relay the GOB's concern to the Department. ¶3. As frequently noted in post's reporting on security issues, the GOB is very responsive to our requests for ongoing security at the Chancery, the American Center, and diplomatic residential compounds and they have responded positively and quickly to requests for enhanced security for special events. The GOB also provided a bodyguard detail for the COM (and offered the same for other Embassy senior officers) during the run-up to Iraq and until the active fighting was declared over. ¶4. Action Request: Given the physical vulnerabilities of our aging USG facilities here, we need continued GOB cooperation on security issues. Post urges that GOB requests for upgraded security be met with a timely and effective response. Martinez