CAMBODIA AND DRAFT UNSCR ON BURMA

C O N F I D E N T I A L PHNOM PENH 002229 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2016 TAGS: PHUM PREL UNSC CB SUBJECT: CAMBODIA AND DRAFT UNSCR ON BURMA REF: STATE 197809 Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Margaret B. McKean; Reason: 1.5 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On December 27, the Ambassador and Pol/Econ Chief met with MFA Secretary of State Ouch Borith regarding reftel demarche. (Note: P/E Chief had met separately on December 15 with MFA Deputy Director for International Organizations So Soeung Ha and delivered reftel demarche points. At the time, no senior MFA officials were available. End Note.) The Ambassador prefaced his remarks by underscoring USG recognition of PM Hun Sen's outspoken position on Burma over the past year and the PM's willingness to meet with exiled NLD parliamentarians during the inauguration of the Cambodian National Assembly's Burma Caucus. The Embassy, however, had been disappointed with Cambodia's lack of support during the Third Committee vote regarding the human rights resolution on Burma. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador provided Borith with a copy of the demarche points, noting that the draft resolution is not punitive and does not call for sanctions. He emphasized that ASEAN nations have a strong stake in Burma's future, and urged the RGC to engage with UNSC members who may oppose the resolution. Borith responded that he had read the text of the resolution and agreed that it was not objectionable. The MFA official said that he would take up the matter with FM Hor Namhong to see if the RGC could approach members of the Security Council, but made no guarantees. He added that Cambodia is aware that China opposes the resolution. ¶3. (C) Borith explained that the RGC stance towards the human rights resolution on Burma in the Third Committee was geared to providing the Rangoon government with one final chance to take positive steps on its own initiative. However, the RGC will be studying developments in Burma very closely and hopes that ASEAN member states will coordinate action on Burma in the future. Borith underscored that Cambodia's recent vote against the Burma human rights resolution was not a change in the PM's policy. ¶4. (C) On a separate subject, Borith told the Ambassador that the PM had met recently with a Japanese delegation, and North Korea was discussed. Borith said that next year, the RGC would support a DPRK human rights resolution in the Third Committee. (Note: Cambodia abstained during the no action motion this year. End Note.) MUSSOMELI