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