ILO REP DISAPPOINTED BY UNCHANGED BURMA POSTURE

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 001351

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2015
TAGS: ELAB PHUM PREL BM
SUBJECT: ILO REP DISAPPOINTED BY UNCHANGED BURMA POSTURE

REF: A. GENEVA 2936

B. RANGOON 1222

Classified By: Econoff TLManlowe for Reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) ILO Liaison Officer Richard Horsey returned to Rangoon
on November 28 after a one month absence. Horsey told poloff
that he met soon after returning with Minister of Labor U
Thaung, who assured Horsey that his personal security would
be safeguarded and stressed the GOB's commitment to
investigating the recent death threats made against him. The
Minister also expressed his availability to have a dialogue
with the ILO on labor issues. However, the Minister did not
offer any information on new GOB plans to address ILO
concerns, including measures to guarantee the ILO Liaison
Officer's full exercise of his functions, investigation and
prosecution of forced labor cases and cessation of reprisals
against Burmese citizens who make accusations of forced labor
(ref A). Horsey expressed great pessimism about the chances
that the regime will act on any ILO recommendations soon.


2. (C) Horsey noted that the Minister seemed relaxed and
confident in their meeting. U Thaung did not mention the
reasons why the GOB had reversed its decision to withdraw
from the ILO, as the Minister had told Horsey and an ILO
envoy in October (ref B). Horsey concluded that the Minister
had not suffered any adverse political damage from the
flip-flop. He also noted that, in response to the highly
critical ILO Governing Board meeting in Geneva in November,
the GOB had nothing to say of substance.


3. (C) Comment: If the threat to withdraw was a bluff to gain
ILO concessions, the GOB now realizes it failed. The ILO
Governing Board Chairman specifically rejected GOB attempts
to pressure and intimidate the ILO. But the situation has
now returned to "status quo ante", with the regime offering
verbal assurances of compliance while ignoring requests and
delaying action. As we approach the next ILO Governing Board
meeting in March 2006 and the June 2006 ILC meeting, we will
monitor whether the GOB's professed interest in cooperating
on forced labor issues is anything more than an empty
promise. End comment.
VILLAROSA