Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MOSCOW5951
2006-06-05 12:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:
DEMARCHING RUSSIA ON A BURMA RESOLUTION
how-toVZCZCXRO7840 RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHMO #5951 1561208 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 051208Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7067 INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0232
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 005951
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM RS
SUBJECT: DEMARCHING RUSSIA ON A BURMA RESOLUTION
REF: STATE 88973
Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Kirk Augustine.
Reasons: 1.4 (b/d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 005951
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM RS
SUBJECT: DEMARCHING RUSSIA ON A BURMA RESOLUTION
REF: STATE 88973
Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Kirk Augustine.
Reasons: 1.4 (b/d)
1. (C) Poloff made reftel demarche June 5 to Petr Ilichev,
UN Political Affairs Senior Counselor, MFA International
Organizations Department. Ilichev said that Burma did not
represent a threat to international peace and security, or to
security in the region, and thus was not an appropriate
subject for a UN Security Council resolution. He thought
that any UNSC action on Burma at all would be problematic,
because the General Assembly would likely consider it to be
outside the UNSC's mandate. Ilichev said Moscow had not
decided yet whether it would block a UNSCR on Burma.
2. (C) Ilichev argued for constuctive engagement with the
Burmese regime, saying attempts to pressure or isolate it
were counterproductive. He pointed to U/SYG Gambari's visit
as evidence that the Burmese leadership would not shun
engagement. Ilichev acknowledged concerns with the decision
to extend the term of Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest, but
called it an internal matter and implied that the regime had
legitimate interest in keeping her from "incitement," noting
her activities during her last period of freedom in 2002. He
was encouraged that Gambari had been allowed to visit with
her.
3. (C) Ilichev also argued with several more of our points,
noting that the Burmese had promised Gambari that problems
with UN agency access would be addressed, that Burma had a
national program for dealing with infectious diseases, and
that Moscow's information indicated the number of Burmese
refugees in Bangladesh had dropped from 250,000 to 20,000,
with many returning home from Thailand as well.
BURNS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM RS
SUBJECT: DEMARCHING RUSSIA ON A BURMA RESOLUTION
REF: STATE 88973
Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Kirk Augustine.
Reasons: 1.4 (b/d)
1. (C) Poloff made reftel demarche June 5 to Petr Ilichev,
UN Political Affairs Senior Counselor, MFA International
Organizations Department. Ilichev said that Burma did not
represent a threat to international peace and security, or to
security in the region, and thus was not an appropriate
subject for a UN Security Council resolution. He thought
that any UNSC action on Burma at all would be problematic,
because the General Assembly would likely consider it to be
outside the UNSC's mandate. Ilichev said Moscow had not
decided yet whether it would block a UNSCR on Burma.
2. (C) Ilichev argued for constuctive engagement with the
Burmese regime, saying attempts to pressure or isolate it
were counterproductive. He pointed to U/SYG Gambari's visit
as evidence that the Burmese leadership would not shun
engagement. Ilichev acknowledged concerns with the decision
to extend the term of Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest, but
called it an internal matter and implied that the regime had
legitimate interest in keeping her from "incitement," noting
her activities during her last period of freedom in 2002. He
was encouraged that Gambari had been allowed to visit with
her.
3. (C) Ilichev also argued with several more of our points,
noting that the Burmese had promised Gambari that problems
with UN agency access would be addressed, that Burma had a
national program for dealing with infectious diseases, and
that Moscow's information indicated the number of Burmese
refugees in Bangladesh had dropped from 250,000 to 20,000,
with many returning home from Thailand as well.
BURNS