Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RANGOON919
2006-07-03 10:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:  

ICRC DRAWS DOWN FURTHER

Tags:  PGOV PHUM ECON PREL BM NGO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 RANGOON 000919 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON PREL BM NGO
SUBJECT: ICRC DRAWS DOWN FURTHER

REF: A. A) RANGOON 617

B. B) RANGOON 272

Classified By: P/E, Mark Taylor, for Reasons 1.4 (b, d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 RANGOON 000919

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON PREL BM NGO
SUBJECT: ICRC DRAWS DOWN FURTHER

REF: A. A) RANGOON 617

B. B) RANGOON 272

Classified By: P/E, Mark Taylor, for Reasons 1.4 (b, d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: The Burma office of the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) plans to reduce further its
expatriate and local staff in light of continued restrictions
on independent prison visits and access to vulnerable
populations in conflict zones in border areas absent any
indications the regime will reconsider them. At this point
the ICRC will retain minimal staffing should the regime have
a change of heart. ICRC also has seen its access to border
areas significantly reduced. Initially quiet in the hopes of
finding a resolution, the ICRC may become more outspoken with
the international media and sympathetic governments to draw
attention to the disturbing humanitarian and political
messages these SPDC restrictions convey. END SUMMARY.

DETENTION VISITS STAFF REDUCTIONS
--------------

2.(C) Acting ICRC/Burma Head of Delegation Thierry Ribaux
(strictly protect) in a June 29 meeting with Emboffs
confirmed a June 26 media report, attributed to him, that the
ICRC will further reduce its expatriate staff, already down
to 28 from a pre-2006 level of 55 (see reftels),over the
coming month as prospects for restarted prison visits remain
bleak. Similarly, the ICRC also will pare its Burmese staff,
already cut from 278 to 240 over the last six months, he
disclosed. While emphasizing that the ICRC has no intention
of leaving Burma altogether, Ribaux stated that staff
dedicated to visiting prison and forced labor camps would now
be cut to the bare minimum needed to respond quickly in the
event of SPDC approval to visit. In addition, some
expatriate personnel dedicated to protection work in
conflict-affected border areas would also likely depart.

3.(C) Ribaux noted that the ICRC office continues to submit
formal requests for independent prison visits to the Home
Affairs Ministry, which houses the Department of Prisons;
with no response. Meanwhile, the ICRC has received reports

that prison conditions have deteriorated in various
locations. Government-controlled press has reported Union
Solidarity Development Association (USDA) and Myanmar
Maternal and Child Welfare Association (MMCWA)
representatives made visits to prisons to provide food,
medicine and clothing. Ribaux noted that these visits are on
the wane as both organizations lack funding for sustained
donations. Ribaux also disclosed that the ICRC heard that
during these prison visits, the USDA attempted to condition
assistance provided to individual prisoners on their joining
the USDA, with formal membership cards to be provided upon
their release from prison.

PRISON ACTIVITIES ERODED
--------------

4.(C) The regime's less cooperative stance with the ICRC has
also affected "Protection" activities for communities
affected by border conflicts. Access to key areas of the
eastern border expanded in 2000-2004. By late 2004, ICRC
staff visited northern Kayin (Karen) state almost weekly for
discussions with communities affected by conflict, ensuring
that wounded villagers and IDPs received appropriate care.
ICRC staff stationed at offices in Hpa-An, Moulmein,
Kengtung, and Taunggyi also could access communities in Mon
State and southern and eastern Shan State. Unlike the
abrupt termination of independent prison visits, the GOB
gradually restricted visits to conflict-affected communities
over the latter half of 2005 down to two in early 2006.
ICRC's restricted access to conflict zones does not appear
the result of a clear order from the capital, according to
Ribaux, but rather an intolerance of any foreigners in
sensitive areas. Ribaux opined that the generals had no
appreciation for the ICRC's unique status, which includes
strict confidentiality; instead it lumped ICRC together with
international NGOs as a foreign security risk.

ICRC IN MANDALAY
--------------

5.(C) While Ribaux claimed that the ICRC has no timetable for
further steps to minimize its presence, Mandalay ICRC
representative Serge Thierry (Strictly Protect) disclosed
during a June 26 meeting with Emboff that a mid-July
country-wide ICRC/Burma staff meeting would take stock of the
situation and recommend next steps. Thierry claimed that,
according to ICRC's study, 67% of the wardens in the prisons
visited by ICRC staff found the visits beneficial and did not
want them stopped. Noting that this positive view of the
ICRC prevailed in the Departments of Prisons, Thierry
concluded that the decision to end independent ICRC access
came from "high on top." Thierry claimed that he received
better cooperation from Mandalay commander General Khin Zaw
than from his predecessor, who departed in early 2005. While
some of his colleagues in other ICRC/Burma offices face
severe restrictions on movement imposed by local commanders,
such as the office in Kengtung, Thierry stated that he is
relatively free to travel in the Central zone without advance
permission or participation of GOB personnel.

WHAT'S LEFT: PROSTHETICS AID AND FAMILY VISITS
-------------- --

6.(C). Staff at ICRC's six offices in Burma (Rangoon,
Mandalay, Taunggyi, Kengtung, Hpa-An and Moulmein) now
oversee two activities. The provision of artificial limbs
to amputees (wounded largely by land mine explosions in
conflict zones) continues at all six offices. ICRC sees the
largest number of patients in Moulmein and Hpa-An, closest to
the scenes of insurgent activities in Karen and Mon states.
Denied direct access to communities in the conflict zones,
ICRC staff discreetly use limited confidential interactions
with amputees to obtain information about the conflict zones,
confided Ribaux.

7.(C) ICRC also provides assistance to relatives of "persons
detained for security reasons" because they often have to
travel long distances for visits. In addition to
facilitating the confidential transmission of letters between
prisoners and family members, ICRC offices in Burma provide
funding for relatives to make regular visits to the far-flung
prisons and provide their imprisoned relatives with
medicines, foodstuffs and clothing. According to Ribaux,
ICRC offices continue to fund and monitor the visits of
family members of 700 prisoners. To date, the regime has not
interfered in this activity, he said.

9.(C) COMMENT: The ICRC staff in Burma is increasingly
frustrated by the intransigence of the regime in accepting
Geneva Convention provisions respected around the world. The
June 26 press statement by Ribaux was a calculated move to
tap outside sources of leverage to pressure the regime. The
recent visit to Burma of U/SYG Gambari, who called for
increased humanitarian access also probably influenced the
statement. Lifting restrictions on the ICRC's access to
prisons and conflict areas would be a welcome step showing
sincerity by the generals in re-engaging the international
community. Continued restrictions, on the other hand, should
raise doubts about the generals intentions. END COMMENT.
VILLAROSA