Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NEWDELHI2173
2006-03-30 13:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:
GOI PRIVATELY MAINTAINING PRESSURE TO DEMOCRATIZE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002173
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM BM IN
SUBJECT: GOI PRIVATELY MAINTAINING PRESSURE TO DEMOCRATIZE
BURMA
REF: A. NEW DELHI 1806
B. NEW DELHI 1614
C. NEW DELHI 0997
NEW DELHI 00002173 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: PolCouns Geoff Pyatt, for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002173
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM BM IN
SUBJECT: GOI PRIVATELY MAINTAINING PRESSURE TO DEMOCRATIZE
BURMA
REF: A. NEW DELHI 1806
B. NEW DELHI 1614
C. NEW DELHI 0997
NEW DELHI 00002173 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: PolCouns Geoff Pyatt, for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)
1. (C) Summary: MEA Burma watcher Mohan Kumar told PolCouns
March 30 that the GOI is continuing privately to push the
military regime in Burma to pursue democratic reforms. Kumar
elaborated on President Kalam's visit to Burma earlier this
month, and indicated that discussions on democracy figured
into Kalam's meetings much more than the media indicated.
Kumar asserted that the military is "in absolute control," is
paranoid, and feels "pushed up against a wall." He concluded
by agreeing with Polcouns that continued coordination between
the U.S. and the GOI could advance our mutual interest in
democratic reforms in Burma. End Summary.
Kalam Raises Democratic Reforms
--------------
2. (C) In a March 30 conversation with PolCouns and Poloff,
Mohan Kumar, MEA Joint Secretary for Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,
Maldives, and Myanmar said that President Kalam discussed the
need for democratic reforms with Burma's General Than Shwe
behind closed doors twice during his visit (Ref A). The
first time, Kumar said, the General brought up the issue on
his own, and told Kalam that he is committed to the Seven
Point Roadmap and the National Convention process. Without
mentioning Aung Sang Suu Kyi (ASSK),Kalam told Shwe that the
process needed to be more inclusive and broad-based, and
according to Kumar, Shwe understood the implicit reference to
ASSK and her National League for Democracy. The President
told Shwe that if he wants Indian support in the
international arena to continue, then he would "have to make
our job easier, not harder" by making some progress on
democratic reforms. Kalam raised the issue again in Kumar's
presence as the GOI delegation was leaving, telling Shwe that
ASSK is very well respected and admired in India. He
reminded Shwe that just a few years ago, the General refered
to ASSK as his daughter and implored him to release her.
According to Kumar, Shwe was taken aback and told Kalam he
would get back to him. Emphasizing that Kalam is an
independent operator who speaks his mind, Kumar implied that
these were unscripted interventions that reflected the
sentiments of average Indians.
GOI Happy to Work with US
--------------
3. (C) Kumar acknowledged the importance of continuing to
push the Burmese regime toward democracy and, concurring with
PolCouns, said that coordinating policies and playing "good
cop, bad cop" might work, as we "can't let these guys off the
hook." However, Kumar, while insisting that he did not want
to critique U.S. policy, said he was not sure "blunt
instruments" like sanctions were very effective. PolCouns
cited recent actions by Japan and ASEAN to underline that the
U.S. was hardly acting alone in our toughened approach.
Kumar told PolCouns his sense was that "these guys become
more hardline" when you push them. Kumar reported that Shwe
told Kalam that "Western interference is not going to hasten
the process." Kumar responded positively to PolCouns's
comment that Burma is a high priority for Washington, noting
NEW DELHI 00002173 002.2 OF 002
that "you can rely on India to convey your message." He
added that India is a more reliable partner than China in
Burma due to Kalam's ability to convey a difficult message to
General Shwe, because Kalam is not political and "is his own
man" (Refs B and C).
Comment: GOI Taking a "Nuanced Approach"
--------------
4. (C) While Mohan Kumar's comments underscore the GOI's
continued balancing act in Burma, his statements on the GOI's
closed-door commitment to democratic reforms are encouraging,
if true. In particular, President Kalam's supposed
willingness to deliver hard messages privately, and the GOI's
desire to work with the U.S. on Burma can be useful tools.
We will continue to engage with the Indian MEA on ways to
publicly and privately encourage democratic reforms in Burma.
5. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website:
(http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/)
MULFORD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM BM IN
SUBJECT: GOI PRIVATELY MAINTAINING PRESSURE TO DEMOCRATIZE
BURMA
REF: A. NEW DELHI 1806
B. NEW DELHI 1614
C. NEW DELHI 0997
NEW DELHI 00002173 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: PolCouns Geoff Pyatt, for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)
1. (C) Summary: MEA Burma watcher Mohan Kumar told PolCouns
March 30 that the GOI is continuing privately to push the
military regime in Burma to pursue democratic reforms. Kumar
elaborated on President Kalam's visit to Burma earlier this
month, and indicated that discussions on democracy figured
into Kalam's meetings much more than the media indicated.
Kumar asserted that the military is "in absolute control," is
paranoid, and feels "pushed up against a wall." He concluded
by agreeing with Polcouns that continued coordination between
the U.S. and the GOI could advance our mutual interest in
democratic reforms in Burma. End Summary.
Kalam Raises Democratic Reforms
--------------
2. (C) In a March 30 conversation with PolCouns and Poloff,
Mohan Kumar, MEA Joint Secretary for Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,
Maldives, and Myanmar said that President Kalam discussed the
need for democratic reforms with Burma's General Than Shwe
behind closed doors twice during his visit (Ref A). The
first time, Kumar said, the General brought up the issue on
his own, and told Kalam that he is committed to the Seven
Point Roadmap and the National Convention process. Without
mentioning Aung Sang Suu Kyi (ASSK),Kalam told Shwe that the
process needed to be more inclusive and broad-based, and
according to Kumar, Shwe understood the implicit reference to
ASSK and her National League for Democracy. The President
told Shwe that if he wants Indian support in the
international arena to continue, then he would "have to make
our job easier, not harder" by making some progress on
democratic reforms. Kalam raised the issue again in Kumar's
presence as the GOI delegation was leaving, telling Shwe that
ASSK is very well respected and admired in India. He
reminded Shwe that just a few years ago, the General refered
to ASSK as his daughter and implored him to release her.
According to Kumar, Shwe was taken aback and told Kalam he
would get back to him. Emphasizing that Kalam is an
independent operator who speaks his mind, Kumar implied that
these were unscripted interventions that reflected the
sentiments of average Indians.
GOI Happy to Work with US
--------------
3. (C) Kumar acknowledged the importance of continuing to
push the Burmese regime toward democracy and, concurring with
PolCouns, said that coordinating policies and playing "good
cop, bad cop" might work, as we "can't let these guys off the
hook." However, Kumar, while insisting that he did not want
to critique U.S. policy, said he was not sure "blunt
instruments" like sanctions were very effective. PolCouns
cited recent actions by Japan and ASEAN to underline that the
U.S. was hardly acting alone in our toughened approach.
Kumar told PolCouns his sense was that "these guys become
more hardline" when you push them. Kumar reported that Shwe
told Kalam that "Western interference is not going to hasten
the process." Kumar responded positively to PolCouns's
comment that Burma is a high priority for Washington, noting
NEW DELHI 00002173 002.2 OF 002
that "you can rely on India to convey your message." He
added that India is a more reliable partner than China in
Burma due to Kalam's ability to convey a difficult message to
General Shwe, because Kalam is not political and "is his own
man" (Refs B and C).
Comment: GOI Taking a "Nuanced Approach"
--------------
4. (C) While Mohan Kumar's comments underscore the GOI's
continued balancing act in Burma, his statements on the GOI's
closed-door commitment to democratic reforms are encouraging,
if true. In particular, President Kalam's supposed
willingness to deliver hard messages privately, and the GOI's
desire to work with the U.S. on Burma can be useful tools.
We will continue to engage with the Indian MEA on ways to
publicly and privately encourage democratic reforms in Burma.
5. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website:
(http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/)
MULFORD