Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RANGOON206
2006-02-13 10:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
BURMESE PM GOES TO CHINA WITH A LONG SHOPPING LIST
how-toVZCZCXRO4594 OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHGO #0206 0441015 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 131015Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON TO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING IMMEDIATE 0642 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL IMMEDIATE 6530 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO IMMEDIATE 4141 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4121 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 9430 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 3988 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 3164 RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 0575
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000206
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
BEIJING, SEOUL AND TOKYO -- PLEASE PASS TO EAP/MLS DEPUTY
DIRECTOR ROBERT RAPSON AND DELEGATION, STATE FOR EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2015
TAGS: PREL ECON CH BM
SUBJECT: BURMESE PM GOES TO CHINA WITH A LONG SHOPPING LIST
REF: RANGOON 179
Classified By: Econoff TLManlowe for Reason 1.4 (b,d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000206
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
BEIJING, SEOUL AND TOKYO -- PLEASE PASS TO EAP/MLS DEPUTY
DIRECTOR ROBERT RAPSON AND DELEGATION, STATE FOR EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2015
TAGS: PREL ECON CH BM
SUBJECT: BURMESE PM GOES TO CHINA WITH A LONG SHOPPING LIST
REF: RANGOON 179
Classified By: Econoff TLManlowe for Reason 1.4 (b,d).
1. (C) Summary: When he makes his first bilateral visit to
China on February 14-18, Burmese Prime Minster Soe Win will
seek an agreement on closer cooperation on drug trafficking,
a donation of 100 used train cars, and Chinese views on the
GOB's draft industrial zone law. These agenda items are in
addition to a $8.7 million grant and PRC funding for
construction projects reported in reftel. End summary.
2. (C) According to internal documents we obtained today from
a GOB contact (PROTECT),PM General Soe Win will sign an
agreement pledging further cooperation between the PRC and
the GOB to fight drug trafficking. As recent joint
investigations show, the GOB and China are collaborating more
closely in the past year to fight the flow of illegal
narcotics from Burma into China; the new agreement will help
spell that out.
3. (C) The GOB documents also reveal that the Deputy Minster
of Rail Transportation is seeking a Chinese gift of 100
railway carriages formerly used on the line between Kunming,
China, and Hekou, Vietnam. With that line shifting to a
different (standard) gauge track, the GOB sees an opportunity
to get 100 trains cars at bargain prices. If the Chinese
government will not gift the trains to Burma, the Deputy
Minster suggests that the PM seek a soft loan to cover the
PRC's purchase price of US$3.6 million, and a Chinese
assurance that it will still manufacture and sell spare parts
for Burma's old - (meter) gauge system. The PM will also ask
the PRC to build a new railroad from of the city of Lashio
in Shan State to Muse, a major Burmese trading town on the
Chinese border.
4. (C) Soe Win will also share a draft of the Thilawa
Industrial Zone Law based on a Chinese model that allows
foreign investors to participate actively in the development
and operation of this trade zone, located at a port about 45
minutes southwest of Rangoon. The zone accommodates a wide
range of manufacturing and trade activities with shares held
by both the GOB and foreign governments, as well as business
enterprises and financial groups. The draft law promises tax
breaks and allows foreign financial institutions to operate
in the zone using foreign currencies. Currently, only three
large state-run banks in Burma are allowed to handle foreign
currency transactions.
5. (C) Comment: The Prime Minister is going to China with a
long shopping list of projects that need more funding. He
cannot offer much in return. The Chinese Government will be
able to set their terms. The most effective message China
could deliver would be one encouraging reforms in Burma, but
until they do, the GOB will continue to hold out its begging
bowl and hoping for more useful donations. End comment.
STOLTZ
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
BEIJING, SEOUL AND TOKYO -- PLEASE PASS TO EAP/MLS DEPUTY
DIRECTOR ROBERT RAPSON AND DELEGATION, STATE FOR EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2015
TAGS: PREL ECON CH BM
SUBJECT: BURMESE PM GOES TO CHINA WITH A LONG SHOPPING LIST
REF: RANGOON 179
Classified By: Econoff TLManlowe for Reason 1.4 (b,d).
1. (C) Summary: When he makes his first bilateral visit to
China on February 14-18, Burmese Prime Minster Soe Win will
seek an agreement on closer cooperation on drug trafficking,
a donation of 100 used train cars, and Chinese views on the
GOB's draft industrial zone law. These agenda items are in
addition to a $8.7 million grant and PRC funding for
construction projects reported in reftel. End summary.
2. (C) According to internal documents we obtained today from
a GOB contact (PROTECT),PM General Soe Win will sign an
agreement pledging further cooperation between the PRC and
the GOB to fight drug trafficking. As recent joint
investigations show, the GOB and China are collaborating more
closely in the past year to fight the flow of illegal
narcotics from Burma into China; the new agreement will help
spell that out.
3. (C) The GOB documents also reveal that the Deputy Minster
of Rail Transportation is seeking a Chinese gift of 100
railway carriages formerly used on the line between Kunming,
China, and Hekou, Vietnam. With that line shifting to a
different (standard) gauge track, the GOB sees an opportunity
to get 100 trains cars at bargain prices. If the Chinese
government will not gift the trains to Burma, the Deputy
Minster suggests that the PM seek a soft loan to cover the
PRC's purchase price of US$3.6 million, and a Chinese
assurance that it will still manufacture and sell spare parts
for Burma's old - (meter) gauge system. The PM will also ask
the PRC to build a new railroad from of the city of Lashio
in Shan State to Muse, a major Burmese trading town on the
Chinese border.
4. (C) Soe Win will also share a draft of the Thilawa
Industrial Zone Law based on a Chinese model that allows
foreign investors to participate actively in the development
and operation of this trade zone, located at a port about 45
minutes southwest of Rangoon. The zone accommodates a wide
range of manufacturing and trade activities with shares held
by both the GOB and foreign governments, as well as business
enterprises and financial groups. The draft law promises tax
breaks and allows foreign financial institutions to operate
in the zone using foreign currencies. Currently, only three
large state-run banks in Burma are allowed to handle foreign
currency transactions.
5. (C) Comment: The Prime Minister is going to China with a
long shopping list of projects that need more funding. He
cannot offer much in return. The Chinese Government will be
able to set their terms. The most effective message China
could deliver would be one encouraging reforms in Burma, but
until they do, the GOB will continue to hold out its begging
bowl and hoping for more useful donations. End comment.
STOLTZ