THE GOB'S LONG-WINDED DEFENSE AGAINST UNSC ACTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 RANGOON 001762 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/27/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI SNAR BM SUBJECT: THE GOB'S LONG-WINDED DEFENSE AGAINST UNSC ACTION Classified By: Econoff TLManlowe for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) Summary: the GOB called a last-minute press conference in Nay Pyi Taw on November 29 to try to refute UNSC discussion of the regional threat Burma poses through the spread of refugees, diseases and narcotics to neighboring states. Two Cabinet Ministers, joined by a Deputy Minister and the Police Chief, presented government-created statistics they claimed showed the great progress Burma has made in health, education, science, technology, prison management, and in fighting trafficking in persons, illegal drugs, and money laundering. While little was offered that had not already appeared regularly in regime-controlled media, the press conference showed the GOB intends to fight a propaganda war to counter US efforts to pursue a UNSC resolution on Burma. During the press conference, the police chief claimed the regime's closing of ICRC's five branch offices in Burma was only temporary, and said there had been no decision yet on the fate of the five detained leaders of the 88 Generation Students. End summary. ¶2. (U) On November 29, with only twenty-four hours' notice, the GOB summoned diplomats, the heads of international organizations, and Rangoon-based journalists to the administrative capital of Nay Pyi Taw for a press conference at the Ministry of Health. The Ministers of Health and Education, the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology and the Chief of Police disputed reports critical of Burma and tried to refute point-by-point the September U.S. presentation to the UN Security Council on how the actions of Burma's ruling regime poses a threat to the region as well as its own people. For about three hours, the GOB officials read through long lists of GOB activities that purported to show progress in health, education, science and technology, prison management, combating trafficking in persons, and stopping the flow of illicit drugs and money laundering. ¶3. (U) The scheduling of the press conference was last-minute and confused. MFA officials made frantic calls to most embassies and IOs the night before, and hastily added a charter flight to the new capital when it became clear that the scheduled flights to Nay Pyi Taw were fully booked before the conference was announced. Fewer than twenty diplomats attended, along with UN and INGO reps, Burmese civil servants, and the press. Many of them were left stranded in Nay Pyi Taw for two extra hours after the press conference when Senior General Than Shwe's wife commandeered the charter aircraft, so another had to be summoned. ¶4. (U) The presenters repeatedly stated their intention to refute claims made by a "powerful Western nation" that Burma presented a threat to regional stability and should be brought before the UN Security Council. For over three hours, the Ministers of Health, Education, the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, and the Chief of Police described GOB programs and accomplishments in their fields, at times quoting from the U.S. International Narcotics Control Strategy Report and a 2003 INL report to make their case. Health -------------- ¶5. (U) Health Minster Dr. Kyaw Myint opened the conference by stating that some countries claim Burma is a threat to the region, but that, as a doctor, he would present the "real situation" of the cross-border disease threat. He outlined GOB activities to fight HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, polio, leprosy, and avian influenza, and described Burma's recent increases in life expectancy (to 61.5 years for men, 64 for women),new health facilities, and added medical personnel. He blamed the termination of the Global Fund in 2005 on allegations from "internal and external destructive elements." Education -------------- ¶6. (U) Chan Nyein, Minster of Education, announced he would present Burma's "real progress in making every effort to RANGOON 00001762 002 OF 003 bring education to every citizen." He cited numerous educational initiatives, including the widely unpopular decision to disperse universities from major cities into rural areas. The Minister came under fire during the question and answer session, when Burmese journalists asked pointed questions about the timing of national exams and inquired when Burma's education would reach international standards. To the latter, he curtly replied that the GOB was working towards international standards, and called charges of educational deterioration "pure fabrication." Science and Technology -------------- ¶7. (U) Deputy Minister of Science and Technology U Kyaw Soe outlined his Ministry's objectives to strengthen economic and human resource development, enhance production, conduct more analysis and standardization, and pursue applied research on the utilization of atomic energy. He described his ministry's results in teacher training, raising the technical education level, purchasing of scientific equipment, and completing research projects. He did not elaborate on the GOB's research into nuclear energy. Law Enforcement -------------- ¶8. (U) The Chief of Police, General Khin Yi, took issue with the recent U.S. Presidential Determination on Burma's lack of compliance in fighting drugs, and defended Burma's counter-narcotics efforts by citing heavily from UNODC's latest report, which noted a reduction in hectares under opium poppy cultivation, and the US Counter Narcotic and Crime report, which noted a decrease in heroin production in ¶2004. He neglected to mention that UNODC also reported increased yilds, thus no significant net change in the value of opium produced. On corruption, Khin Yi cited a 2003 INL report that listed actions taken against various low-level military and police personnel for corruption, commenting, "it is surprising to encounter allegations that diverge from the findings of INL." He added that U/SYG Gambari praised Burma's efforts to eliminate narcotics during his May 2006 visit. ¶9. (U) Khin Yi also described Burma's efforts domestically, bilaterally, and regionally to fight trafficking in persons and complained that the U.S. had given Burma an undeserved Tier 3 ranking. He said that U.S. sanctions deterred Burma's efforts to modernize and develop its economy, and caused 70,000 Burmese garment workers to lose their jobs, making them more vulnerable to human trafficking. ¶10. (U) Khin Yi claimed that false reports of prisoner abuse and poor prison conditions were spread by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) and the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB). Khin Yi called them "shameless allegations," and outlined recent changes in prison management, including greater freedom of religion, more opportunities to exercise, improved medical treatment, vocational training programs, and added education. Hard Questions -------------- ¶11. (U) Following the formal presentation, journalists pressed the Police Chief on the fate of Min Ko Naing and other detained 88 Generation Student leaders. Khin Yi said the five had been remanded for "state security reasons," and said that the GOB would take action based on the evidence against them. He said the government would notify journalists when it decided to take action. ¶12. (U) In response to repeated questions about the GOB ordering the ICRC to close its five field offices in Burma, Khin Yi would only say that the GOB plans to change the rules for all international organizations operating in Burma. When pressed, he said the GOB only ordered the ICRC offices to be closed temporarily, while the government "re-focuses." He also stressed that the ICRC was still allowed to visit prisons in Burma, but because it had refused to follow government rules and regulations regarding prison visits, RANGOON 00001762 003 OF 003 they no longer took place. ¶13. (U) When asked about Burma's lack of cooperation with the ILO, Khin Yi said that the GOB was operating within its domestic laws and regulations, and referred journalists to the Minister of Labor. He repeated the claim that Burma has no political prisoners, and said that authorities had only arrested people who violated Burmese rules and regulations who also happened to be members of political parties. Reaction -------------- ¶14. (C) Many attending the press conference, including UN representatives, said afterwards that the information presented was not new, and that the facts and figures were not credible. The French DCM told emboff that, while there are still many reasons to bring Burma to the UNSC, he felt that the GOB's ability to counter some claims that it poses a regional threat may weaken the U.S. effort. He believes the UN should focus instead on issues of governance, such as human rights violations and political prisoners, rather than trying to build a case for a regional threat based on disease, drugs, and refugees. "Even Burma's neighbors don't support this position," he said. Other diplomats who attended told emboffs that the entire exercise was a waste of time, and the GOB's case convinced no one who was not already inclined to be persuaded. ¶15. (SBU) Comment: The regime's performance at this dog-and-pony show made it clear that they are monitoring the UN debate closely and scrutinize U.S. reports on conditions in Burma thoroughly. But who believes them? No one living here gives any credence to the GOB claims since they know that the new schools lack textbooks and hospitals lack medicines. Instead they must struggle with the deteriorating economy, increasing disease and drug addiction, and crumbling infrastructure. Even the media in Burma is unwilling to play the regime's game now. We were pleased to note several Burmese journalists raised questions on sensitive subjects at this event and showed no fear in confronting officials with the obvious contradictions. End comment. VILLAROSA