Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RANGOON543
2006-04-26 04:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:  

ANOTHER CHAT WITH BURMA'S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER

Tags:  PGOV PREL APER BM CH 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 RANGOON 000543 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/06/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL APER BM CH
SUBJECT: ANOTHER CHAT WITH BURMA'S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER

REF: A. A) RANGOON 287

B. B) RANGOON 249

Classified By: CDA Villarosa for Reasons 1.4 (b,d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 RANGOON 000543

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/06/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL APER BM CH
SUBJECT: ANOTHER CHAT WITH BURMA'S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER

REF: A. A) RANGOON 287

B. B) RANGOON 249

Classified By: CDA Villarosa for Reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) Summary: Charge met with Deputy Foreign Minister Kyaw
Thu on April 25 to continue discussions in the hope of
gathering more insights into the opaque regime. He did not
disappoint. We discussed a range issues from his recent trip
to China to obtaining multiple entry visas for regional
officers to the need for peaceful change. He provided some
useful advice to keep in mind as we try to expand our
American Center programs to Mandalay, as well as an update on
life in Pyinmana. End Summary

Lessons for Mandalay
--------------

2. (C) Charge mentioned that we wanted to make greater use
of our property in Mandalay, for instance by opening a
library since many Burmese expressed such an interest. Kyaw
Thu smiled when told how our recent visit there appeared to
irritate the Mandalay military commander (ref A). He
suggested that we consider donating books instead, and
recounted two stories as lessons. He himself wanted to open
a small bookstall/lending library with donated books from
friends abroad and had asked the Information Minister about
getting this started. Although the Minister seemed to
approve the idea, he told Kyaw Thu that he would have to pay
the customs duties in dollars and they would be considerable
because they are calculated by weight. Kyaw Thu concluded
that he might pursue the idea after he retires.


3. (C) Kyaw Thu also recounted the experience of the German
Ambassador trying to open a cultural center here. The German
Ambassador grew impatient at Kyaw Thu's waiting for a
propitious time to raise the subject, so went to the Foreign
Minister directly. Since the Minister rarely offers his own
opinion to higher ups, according to Kyaw Thu unlike himself,
the Minister sought the approval of the senior generals and
did not get it because of concerns that people might be
exposed to "propaganda about Germany." Once the generals say
no, then "nothing can be done," Kyaw Thu said, so now the

idea is dead. Charge suggested we might use the Mandalay
property for computer classes. Kyaw Thu agreed that might be
doable, if the computers were not hooked up to the internet.

Peaceful Transition
--------------

4. (C) Charge noted how hungry Burmese were for more
information. Kyaw Thu agreed and added that the situation is
more open now, than during the Ne Win period. He noted that
imported magazines, such as Time, with articles critical of
the military can be found now. While bookstores now have
more variety, he continued, they still have a lot of books on
SPDC building projects rather than subjects people want to
read. The Foreign Ministry has greater access than most to
books, but even its libraries are limited. Charge observed
that making more information available to the people could
pave the way for a more peaceful transition. Kyaw Thu nodded
when she added that there were probably many people in the
Foreign Ministry and throughout the government that
recognized the need for a peaceful transition. He continued
to nod in apparent agreement that change was inevitable and
could not be denied. A gradual opening could permit a
peaceful transition, but continued resistance might result in
violence. Kyaw Thu finally spoke, "Like in 88." Charge
reiterated that we wanted to see a peaceful transition and
assumed that most Burmese wanted the same, which Kyaw Thu
acknowledged with more nods.

Negotiating with the Chinese
--------------

5. (C) Kyaw Thu returned April 22 from Kunming where he had
been trying to resolve the cases of 580 Chinese detained in
Burma for illegal logging. He met with Beijing and Yunnan
officials, and was accompanied by GOB Forestry and Mining
officials. He seemed proud that he brought the two sides
together, noting that the Chinese had been trying to meet for
several months directly with the two ministries without ever

RANGOON 00000543 002 OF 003


receiving a response. He also claimed credit for resolving
the dispute with Burma agreeing to free 536 Chinese over
time. The remaining 44 are in Burmese prisons on drug
charges, he said, and the Chinese "do not want them back."
Charge asked if he thought the Chinese were serious about
stopping illegal logging. Kyaw Thu replied that the PRC had
sealed the border to imports; the problem was on the Burmese
side of the border. Charge noted she had seen pictures of
trucks piled with logs headed for the border, so they had to
cross the border somehow.

Pyinmana Update
--------------

6. (C) Kyaw Thu urged the United States to at least reserve
a plot of land in the new capital before all the good parcels
go. Hinting at a willingness to accommodate, he noted that
some Embassies, like the Chinese, might need more than the
allotted 5 acres, so 10 acre plots would also be available,
but nothing in between. Charge asked why the diplomats had
not yet been invited to visit, since most people would not
commit sight unseen. Kyaw Thu said he "could have predicted"
that the visit would not happen as promised in April because
construction is still ongoing. He said that the current
condition would not give a good impression and then the
diplomats would report this back to their capitals. He said
the Thai had agreed to reserve a lot, even though they are
building a new Embassy in Rangoon. It may be a long time
before anyone builds anything, he acknowledged, but only by
reserving a plot now can a country be sure of having a prime
spot.


7. (C) Personal life has improved for Kyaw Thu in Pyinmana
since his wife now lives with him in his office. "Can't you
see that I'm getting fatter now that my wife is cooking for
me again." He said they erected a partition in his "very
large" office to make a sleeping area. Housing for deputy
ministers is still under construction, and he does not intend
to move in until all the construction is finished. Asked
about working conditions, he said that he now has plenty of
time to read because there is no one to meet with. Sudden
requests for information can be a problem, because often the
desk officer is in Rangoon and must be called back to the new
capital. He has back-to-back meetings with various
Ambassadors when he comes to Rangoon. He noted that
arranging the above meeting in Kunming had been difficult,
because he could only talk to the Chinese Ambassador by
phone, "which is not a good idea." He said now that hotels
had been built, some diplomats will be invited individually,
citing as an example an upc
oming Russian delegation.

Multiple Entry Visas
--------------

8. (C) Charge asked Kyaw Thu about the possibility of
obtaining multiple entry visas for regional USG personnel
assigned elsewhere. We noticed that the already prolonged
visa process had become even longer after the GOB move to
Pyinmana. He indicated that he could assist, if not too
many. Charge said 20-30 multiple entry visas would be
helpful. He countered that eight in priority order might be
manageable and that we could submit more names later. He
said that we should send the request to him directly, so he
could "send forward when the mood is right." He cautioned
against involving the consular division directly since then
the request would pass up to the other Deputy Minister, who
he intimated, was much less friendly towards us.

Comment
--------------

9. (C) Kyaw Thu seemed much more content in comparison to
previous meetings (ref B),which probably is a tribute to his
wife. He also came across as smug, verging on cocky, about
his ability to get things done, yet offered some practical
advice. We had already decided against seeking approval
directly to set up an American Center in Mandalay to avoid a
no. This is a culture where working around obstacles is the
best way to achieve results. Although he talked a lot about
books and his reading, he did not take Charge up on repeated
offers to provide him books, so he has set limits on this

RANGOON 00000543 003 OF 003


relationship. Similarly his bravado in speaking out
disappears when talking about a political transistion. He
does seem genuinely interested in showing what he can do, so
we might as well see whether that can advance our objectives.

VILLAROSA