GOB SENDS MIXED MESSAGES ON UN/NGO RESTRICTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000171 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2016 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL EAID BM SUBJECT: GOB SENDS MIXED MESSAGES ON UN/NGO RESTRICTIONS REF: RANGOON 154 Classified By: P/E Chief W. Patrick Murphy for Reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) Summary: On February 7, the GOB issued new guidelines to UN agencies and INGOs regarding the delivery of international assistance in Burma. In contrast to a draft version of draconian new requirements issued a few days ago, the new guidelines appear "vague, redundant, and fairly non-controversial." UN agencies and INGOs are entirely puzzled, uncertain if the GOB had second thoughts or if the draft language was a preview of new measures to come. Senior officials may well have sent mixed signals intentionally to keep the UN agencies and INGOs off-balance, but it may also reveal some cracks in the leadership. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) On February 7, the GOB convoked all UN agencies and international NGOs operating in Burma and issued new guidelines for the delivery of international assistance. Three senior government Ministers (Planning, Home Affairs, and Foreign Affairs) co-chaired the one-hour session at which they emphasized the GOB's intention to coordinate more closely the activities of international organizations. ¶3. (SBU) According to several UN and INGO officials, the GOB's new guidelines appear "vague, redundant, and fairly non-controversial." The GOB's new requirements described by the attendees are a sharp contrast to a draft version of the guidelines issued to UN agencies and INGOs on February 3, which contained draconian, restrictive measures (reftel). "The most worrisome draft procedures dealt with the hiring of local staff and banking requirements," said one UN official, "and the three Ministers made no mention of these issues on February 7." ¶4. (SBU) The new procedures, according to several Embassy contacts who attended the meeting, address current GOB requirements such as MOUs, authorization for upcountry travel, and the need to travel with GOB "liaison" officers when visiting project sites. The guidelines tighten restrictions, but not as dramatically as the draft language had indicated. UN officials added that the GOB announced plans to consolidate oversight of assistance organizations under the Ministry of Planning, but did not provide a timeline or details. ¶5. (SBU) We have not yet seen a copy of the new guidelines, but UN officials told us that the GOB specifically cites former UNODC representative Jean-Luc Lemahieu in the document and "credits" him for the idea to consolidate the activities of UN agencies and NGOs. (Note: Lemahieu, who departed Burma in December, was a vocal advocate for increased humanitarian assistance. He spearheaded efforts in Shan State to increase coordination among the UN agencies and INGOs that operate there. End Note.) ¶6. (C) Comment: The GOB's apparent about face has puzzled UN agencies and INGOs. "We were holding our breath going into the meeting," said one official, "and now we are simply confused." Maybe the GOB had second thoughts about issuing draconian restrictions, or possibly the draft language was a preview of new measures to come. The senior officials may have actually intended to send mixed signals in order to keep the UN agencies and INGOs off-balance. Constantly changing the rules and keeping people confused is one way the military demonstrates its control. However, the quick back-tracking could also indicate that some in the leadership have tired of the erratic politics set by the senior leader and realize that draconian measures could have resulted in the cessation of UN and INGO programs in Burma. No one should rest easy. End Comment. VILLAROSA