BURMA'S ILO REP READY FOR ENGAGEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 001420

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2015
TAGS: ELAB ECON PGOV BM
SUBJECT: BURMA'S ILO REP READY FOR ENGAGEMENT

REF: A. RANGOON 1351

B. GENEVA 2936

C. RANGOON 1222

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


1. (C) Summary: Burma's ILO Liaison Officer Richard Horsey
received further assurances from the Labor Minister, both
about his personal security and about the regime's
willingness to engage on forced labor. He will raise the
cases of Burmese villagers who have been charged by
authorities with reporting information to the ILO. GOB
action or inaction on these cases will enable us to gauge
their level of cooperation. End summary.

ILO Ready for Dialogue, But Is the GOB?
--------------

2. (C) In a December 14 meeting with emboff, ILO Liaison
Officer Richard Horsey said his second official interaction
with Labor Minister U Thaung after the November ILO Governing
Board meeting in Geneva was "more positive and less
confrontational" than his previous one (ref A). Addressing
one of the ILO's primary concerns, the Minister provided
assurances about Horsey's personal security, and said the
investigation into the death threats he received was
continuing, though there were no suspects yet. Horsey has
not received any threats during the past two months, and has
moved back into his residence.


3. (C) Addressing another ILO's concern, i.e., Horsey's
ability to operate around the country with the assurance that
those who contact the ILO will not be prosecuted, the
Minister pledged his cooperation. According to Horsey, the
ILO expects action on items raised in the June and November
ILO meetings, including a framework to move forward on
investigation and prosecution of forced labor cases. This
framework must be worked out in the course of discussions,
said Horsey, which should begin in earnest early in 2006.
The Burmese Ambassador in Geneva had already begun
discussions with the ILO, he added. Horsey expressed
satisfaction that he would have regular access to the
Minister, saying that he obtained an appointment the day
after requesting it.

Retaliation Against Claimants of Forced Labor
-------------- -

4. (C) Horsey said he will follow up on the cases of GOB
persecution of those who make claims of forced labor against
the regime. Horsey discussed the case surrounding the death
of Win Lwin while performing forced labor in December 2004 in
Magwe Division in central Burma. The family filed a
complaint against the government, and sent letters to both
the ILO and the regime about the death. In October, the
regime sued villagers, and their lawyer, saying they supplied
false information to the ILO. The regime did not charge the
family, but has called them to testify against the villagers
who supported their claims of forced labor.


5. (C) Horsey said this case was similar to that of U Aye
Myint, a lawyer for farmers who filed cases against the
regime for uncompensated land confiscation in Bago Division,
north of Rangoon. After being released from an earlier death
sentence (for contacting the ILO),Aye Myint was re-arrested
in September 2005 and sentenced to seven years imprisonment
for "spreading false information." Horsey will strive to win
the release of Aye Myint, and also Su Su Nway, (who was
arrested after successfully suing the regime for forced
labor),and to get the charges against both of them dropped.


6. (C) International press reported that nine people were
sentenced on November 11 to lengthy jail terms (from 8-25
years) for contacting the ILO. Horsey said he had no direct
contact with any of those nine, though he might have received
some information from them, but could not confirm this.
According to his information, they were not charged for
contacting the ILO, but for "contact with an illegal exile
organization," namely the Free Trade Union of Burma. Horsey
said he would still address this case with the GOB, but as
violations of freedom of association and the right to form
unions, and not as persecution for contacting the ILO.


7. (C) Comment: Although he was more positive about his
relations with the Minister, Horsey remains skeptical about
the GOB's commitment to take action. He has several specific
cases that we can monitor to determine whether GOB
cooperation will go beyond the rhetorical. End comment.
VILLAROSA