AMBASSADOR WOLFF'S MEETING WITH UN U/SYG GAMBARI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 002185

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL ASEAN UNSC BM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR WOLFF'S MEETING WITH UN U/SYG GAMBARI
REGARDING HIS NOVEMBER 10-12 VISIT TO BURMA


1. (U) SUMMARY: Ambassador Wolff met with UN U/SYG Gambari
to discuss the latter's visit to Burma November 10-12th.
Viewing his first trip earlier this year as an initial
confidence building visit, Gambari believes his second visit
was an important next step, as he was able to meet again with
Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) and the NLD, deliver "strong
messages" to the regime, and engage at length in serious
discussions concerning the release of political prisoners,
the need for an inclusive political process, guidelines for
humanitarian access, the cessation of hostilities in the
Karen state, forced labor issues, and millennium development
goals. Ambassador Wolff reiterated that the success of
Gambari's efforts would be measured by results, not access.
He urged that Gambari be frank about the unresponsive nature
of the Burmese regime in his brief to the Council in order to
pave the way for a resolution on the matter. Gambari
conceded there has been no progress since his first visit,
and said he is not opposed to a Security Council resolution,
depending upon the content. Gambari wants to preserve the
role of the SYG's good offices mission as a process that
delivers results. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) U/SYG Gambari stated that his visit accomplished three
important objectives. First, Gambari had access to the
senior Burmese leadership, ASSK, and other representatives of
the NLD. Secondly, he conveyed "strong messages" concerning
the release of political prisoners, the need for an inclusive
political process, guidelines for humanitarian access, a
cessation of hostilities in the Karen state, compliance with
ILO requests concerning forced labor, and millennium
development goals. Third, Gambari wanted to preserve the
role of the SYG's good offices mandate.


3. (U) Gambari viewed his first visit as a courtesy call and
confidence building initiative, and believed the second visit
was one of serious engagement with the Burmese regime.
Gambari stated that he provided the Burmese with a letter
from the SYG detailing his concerns, and engaged in long
discussions with the Burmese senior leadership. The Burmese
told Gambari they were willing to release ASSK provided she
would write a letter promising not to disrupt the National
Convention process and act within the law. Gambari conveyed
this message to ASSK, who said she would not reject outright
writing a letter, but needed to first consult with her party.
Gambari said he emphasized to the junta that the Security
Council was watching, and that they needed to take concrete
steps toward results.


4. (U) Ambassador Wolff conveyed Washington's interest in the
details about his visit, but expressed the U.S. belief that
the true measure of a successful visit is in achieving clear
results. Noting the extension of ASSK's detention after his
first visit, Ambassador Wolff emphasized the situation in
Burma has not improved, but deteriorated. He also raised
U.S. concerns that the Burmese were using the good offices
mandate to delay reform measures, and that the regime does
not intend to open the political process to all parties.
Ambassador Wolff stated that the U.S would be moving forward
on an appropriate Security Council resolution. He reiterated
the issue is a U.S priority, and the lack of progress in
Burma will be raised during all high-level meetings with the
Chinese. Ambassador Wolff emphasized the extreme importance
of Gambari giving the Council a frank and realistic
assessment of the regimes failure to respond to requests for
reform in order to pave the way toward a resolution.


5. (U) Gambari conceded there has been no progress since his
first visit, but thinks there is a serious internal debate
between hard-liners and reformers within the Burmese regime.
Gambari advised he is not opposed to a Security Council
resolution, depending upon the content. He believes a strong
message from a united Council would be helpful in supporting
the good offices role, and noted that both the regime and
ASSK both hope the good offices visit will continue. Gambari
said these visits should be more regular, and feels every
three months would be valuable. Ambassador Wolff cautioned
that the Burmese regime was taking advantage of the good

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offices mandate to avoid concrete steps. Without clear
improvement in the situation in Burma, further visits should
be avoided for the foreseeable future.

BOLTON