MFA NEGATIVE ON UNSC BURMA RESOLUTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 012934 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2016 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM RS SUBJECT: MFA NEGATIVE ON UNSC BURMA RESOLUTION REF: STATE 197809 Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells. Reasons: 1.4(B/D). ¶1. (C) In a December 14 discussion about reftel draft UNSCR, Vladimir Safronkov, Chief of the UN Political Affairs Section in the MFA's International Organizations Department, told us Russia's initial reaction was negative. He acknowledged Russia had its own concerns about the situation in Burma and that U/SYG Gambari had asked for Security Council support. However, the text went beyond supporting the mission and strayed into making far-reaching assessments. Reiterating that the GOR did not consider the situation in Burma to pose a threat to international peace and security, he stressed that the draft text was "too much, too soon." ¶2. (C) Safronkov suggested that the U.S. and other sponsors first consider a Presidential Statement before seeking a resolution and try to engage incoming SYG Ban Ki-Moon. He noted that there were timing issues with seeking adoption in December, since this left at best a week to work on the draft. The GOR was going to consult with the Chinese, who he thought would oppose the text. RUSSELL