FRANCE URGES COLLABORATION TO INSURE WIDESPREAD

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 006338 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2016 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM SUBJECT: FRANCE URGES COLLABORATION TO INSURE WIDESPREAD BUY-IN FOR UNSC RESOLUTION ON BURMA REF: STATE 155034 Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C). This is an action request. See paragraph 6. ¶2. (C) Summary: The MFA's IO bureau, while reiterating France's support for a UN Security Council resolution on Burma, cautioned against moving too quickly absent sufficient support and given the possibility of a Chinese veto. IO Office Director Benoit Guidee encouraged the U.S. to circulate a draft proposal among "like-minded countries" and to consult with those who opposed placing Burma on the agenda. In France's view, a resolution should include a call for the release of political prisoners in Burma and the nomination of a UN special envoy to Burma. Guidee believes that the Burmese regime is so friendless that even the most reluctant Security Council members might be persuaded to acquiesce. End Summary ¶3. (C) On September 19, we shared reftel points with Benoit Guidee, office director for political affairs in the MFA's Bureau of the UN and International Organizations, thanking France for its affirmative vote to place Burma on the Security Council agenda last Friday. Guidee offered the GOF's ongoing support for a resolution but was eager to discuss tactics. "How do we win over fence-sitters, such as Congo-Brazzaville and Argentina, avert a Chinese veto, and still devise a meaningful resolution?" ¶4. (C) The UK, France and the US must address the sensitivities of ambivalent Security Council members, Guidee suggested. For example, Congo-Brazzaville is squeamish about any resolution that implies international interference in internal affairs, and Argentina is reluctant to support a resolution that deals too explicitly with human rights abuses. China might be persuaded to abstain if the text stayed within certain limits and did not tackle the question of Burma's ethnic minorities, he added. He offered an optimistic appraisal of China's views on Burma, explaining that France perceives that China has become exasperated with its neighbor and concerned about the spill-over effects for China of Burma's refugee and human rights policies. ¶5. (C) On substance, Guidee said France will insist on two fundamental points in any UNSC resolution. The first is a call for the release of political prisoners and, more broadly, efforts to develop democratic institutions. Second, France wants the Security Council to urge the Secretary General to appoint a new special envoy to Burma, to replace Razali Ismail of Malaysia, who resigned in January. While Guidee said France had no particular objection to U/SYG Ibrahim Gambari's good offices efforts in Burma, France believes a dedicated special envoy could devote more time to negotiations and would send a message of seriousness to the ruling State Peace and Development Council. France does not favor a particular candidate, but believes a southeast Asian diplomat would be most appropriate. He added that Burma's neighbors increasingly view Burma as a regional burden, and France believes Malaysia or the Philippines could step up to offer a credible candidate. ¶6. (C) Action Request: The MFA asks whether the U.S. plans to consult with other like-minded countries and the Chinese, and when the U.S. will put forward a resolution. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON