RTG LOOKS FOR ALTERNATIVE TO BURMA UNSC RESOLUTION

S E C R E T BANGKOK 003913 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/04/2016 TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL TH BM SUBJECT: RTG LOOKS FOR ALTERNATIVE TO BURMA UNSC RESOLUTION Classified By: Political Counselor Susan M. Sutton for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S/NOFORN) On July 3, Poloff spoke by telephone with Minister-Counselor Kallayana Vipattipumiprates of MFA's East Asia Affairs Department regarding the RTG's position on the proposed UN Security Council Resolution on Burma. Kallayana stated that the RTG is working with ASEAN member states "and others" to try to come up with a "viable alternative" to the resolution. He said that the RTG wants the Burmese to take some concrete step forward, but feels that Burma "must be offered some carrot, not just the stick." He said that the RTG is working to get the Burmese government to open a dialogue with ASEAN to discuss precisely what actions the regime could take to demonstrate progress. ¶2. (S/NOFORN) Poloff asked what "carrot" ASEAN could possibly offer that has not been offered already. Kallayana responded that the first step was to get the regime to come to the table to discuss their situation. Kallayana stated that he was working on the RTG alterntive "on my PC right now" so it was premature to discuss it in more detail. He also noted that the Burmese have not yet agreed to participate in discussions along these lines. (Comment: It is unclear to what extent other ASEAN countries are supportive of the RTG approach. End Comment.) Kallayana hinted that he hoped to see some progress before FM Kantathi travels to the US next week. BOYCE