BURMA: CHARGE MEETS WITH MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 001124

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/30/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON PREL BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: CHARGE MEETS WITH MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS

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Classified By: P/E Chief Leslie Hayden for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: After several requests and cancellations,
Charge finally met with Minister for Home Affairs Maung Oo to
stress the importance of meaningful progress toward
democracy, the release of political prisoners, and greater
access to Burma for journalists. The Minister lamented the
West's negative view of Burma and urged the Charge to "report
the truth" in her communications with Washington. The Charge
acknowledged the cooperation we had received on narcotics
eradication, Embassy security, consular access to American
prisoner Andy Chau, and trafficking in persons. The biggest
news of the meeting came when the Minister announced that the
GOB wished to resume joint opium eradication surveys with the
U.S. as soon as possible. Charge welcomed the news, but said
greater cooperation also required progress on the political
issues. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) In an August 7 meeting in Naypyitaw with Minister
for Home Affairs Maung Oo, the Charge expressed our
appreciation for the cooperation we had with Ministry
officials on counternarcotics, chancery security, consular
access to American prisoner Andy Chau, and trafficking in
persons. Maung Oo emphasized that security for USG buildings
in Burma is a high priority for his ministry, and informed
the Charge that the GOB had recently enhanced security around
the U.S. and Israeli Embassies due to ongoing events in the
Middle East.


3. (C) On other issues, Maung Oo said that we just needed
to write him a letter whenever we wanted to visit Andy Chau.
He explained the long delay we experienced in 2005 was due to
the fact that the GOB considered Chau a Burmese citizen. He
surprised us by announcing that the GOB was ready to enhance
U.S.-Burma counternarcotics cooperation by resuming joint
opium eradication surveys, which had been suspended since

2004. He explained that the GOB had decided his ministry
would assume responsibility for this issue now that Khin
Nyunt,s Military Intelligence organization, with whom we
previously coordinated, had been disbanded.


4. (C) Charge welcomed the news, but added that cooperation
would be considerably improved if the Minister responsible
for prisons could arrange the release of all political
prisoners. Maung Oo replied that the issue is under
discussion, noting that Thai PM Thaksin had also raised this
issue with Senior General Than Shwe during his recent visit
to Burma and that the Burmese Foreign Minister had received
the same message at the recent ASEAN meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
He complained that Burma's problems with the international
community were caused by a hostile, foreign media bent on
destroying Burma's national unity, and he urged the Charge to
reflect the real situation in her communications with
Washington. The Charge responded that he could solve this by
welcoming visits by foreign media, organizations, and
officials to Burma. Those who wished to visit Burma should
be granted free access to travel to all regions and report
what they see. The Minister pointed out that the Charge had
recently traveled to the Wa territories, and could travel
elsewhere in Burma to see for herself the actual situation.


5. (C) The Charge underscored the importance of regular
communication between the GOB and the USG, and emphasized the
high-level USG interest in progress toward democracy in
Burma. The Minister replied that he had heard that President
and Mrs. Bush had dinner with UN U/SYG Gambari. This
demonstrated the genuine concern by the U.S. for the
country's future, said the Charge. If we saw dramatic and
significant moves, she added, the U.S. would be prepared to

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respond. The Minister assured the Charge that he was ready
to meet regularly with her and designated various officials
that we could also work with on various issues.


6. (C) Because we tried to talk with everyone in the
country, the Charge said we could report accurately on the
situation here. Maung Oo complained that despite its
progress on trafficking in persons, Burma still received a
Tier 3 ranking in the Department's annual Trafficking in
Persons Report. The Charge explained that we did recognize
the positive steps, which the GOB had cited, but that forced
labor was also an important factor in determining country
rankings. Until the GOB made serious progress in eliminating
this practice throughout the country, she said Burma's
ranking was unlikely to change.


7. (C) COMMENT: Maung Oo has a notorious reputation for
using forced labor for government projects, including hotels,
dams, and canals, and for his oppressive military operations
against Karen and Mon insurgents during his tenure as
Commander of Southern (Tanintharyi) Division. We believe he
was the driving force behind opening the road in front of the
chancery last fall. Charge had made several requests to meet
with Maung Oo since last October, which would get canceled at
the last minute. It seems clear based on this meeting and
septel meeting with the Labor Minister that the GOB has
decided for the moment to &make nice8 with us. The
messages insisting on reform are definitely getting through,
however we do not expect any bold measures. Instead, the GOB
may hope that by changing the tone, the demands will
diminish. We will take every advantage, now that the door
has been opened, to push for greater openness and an
inclusive political dialogue. END COMMENT.

VILLAROSA