AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH ASEAN INTER-PARLIAMENTARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 001752 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2017 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC KDEM BM TH SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH ASEAN INTER-PARLIAMENTARY MYANMAR CAUCUS (AIPMC) REF: JAKARTA 727 (MEETING AIPMC) Classified By: DCM Alex A. Arvizu, reason: 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Members of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) met with Ambassador Boyce to exchange views on Burma. Indonesian parliamentarian Djoko Susilo noted the Indonesian legislature was pressing its Foreign Ministry to take a stronger line on Burma, and he welcomed the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta having recently met with the AIPMC to share views on Burma. Djoko and his fellow AIPMC members advocated an Indonesian (NFI) be appointed as UN Special Envoy to Burma. The Ambassador agreed with the delegation that the Indian government had shown an absence of leadership on Burma. While traveling in Thailand, the AIPMC delegation will not meet with representatives of the RTG, because the AIPMC does not view the coup-installed government as legitimate. The Thai AIPMC members noted that Thai PM Surayud had failed to live up to widespread expectations that he would be tougher on the Burmese regime. End Summary. PARTICIPANTS -------------- ¶2. (C) On March 22, the Ambassador met at his residence with members of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus: Buranaj Smutharaks (Thailand),Charles Chong (Singapore), Djoko Susilo (Indonesia),Anna Mu'awanah (Indonesia),Jon Ungphakorn (Thailand),Kraisak Choonhavan (Thailand),Teresa Kok Suh Sim (Malaysia),Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (Malaysia),and Dato Yip Kum Fook (Malaysia). Roshan Jason, the Executive Director of the Malaysia-based AIPMC, also attended. USG VIEW -------------- ¶3. (C) The Ambassador opened the meeting by providing a broad overview of the USG perspective on Burma. He expressed disappointment that the UNSC had failed to pass a resolution on Burma in January, but emphasized that even the PRC, while vetoing the resolution, had made some constructive comments. Various UN fora, such as the Human Rights Council (HRC), might be able to promote progress on Burma, and we were consulting with other countries on the best way to proceed with the HRC. ¶4. (C) The Ambassador welcomed the AIPMC's focus, noting groupings of legislators represented classic use of "track II" diplomacy, and a useful mechanism for maintaining pressure on Burma more forcefully than the approaches of ASEAN executive branches. He encouraged the delegation to update its "Asian Voices: Myanmar's Threat to Regional Security" publication for broad distribution. ¶5. (C) The Ambassador said he shared the concerns of the delegates that the Indian government was embroiled in a competition with China over Burma. He pointed out that the RTG had pressed for the USG to focus not only on Thai and ASEAN shortcomings on Burma, but to include India's failure to demonstrate leadership. The Ambassador assured the AIPMC delegation that the USG was more forcefully advocating a more constructive Indian role on Burma. INDONESIAN PERSPECTIVE -------------- ¶6. (C) Djoko Susilo explained that the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I (Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Information) had unanimously urged that the Indonesian government take a stronger line on Burma. As a relatively new democracy that had emerged from a period of authoritarian rule, the GOI should be actively pressing the Burmese to democratize. The GOI should not waste its opportunity to influence Burma, and the broader region, while it held a seat on the UNSC, Djoko said. ¶7. (C) Djoko also welcomed the efforts of the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta to share its perspective on Burma (reftel). He said the AIPMC's recent meeting with DAS John in Jakarta had helped to clear up "misunderstandings" about the USG position. Djoko added that he encouraged the USG to establish a sanctions regime on Burma similar to that imposed on Cuba by the Helms-Burton Act. BANGKOK 00001752 002 OF 002 SUGGESTIONS ON THE SPECIAL ENVOY TO BURMA -------------- ¶8. (C) In response to the Ambassador soliciting views on the next UN Special Envoy to Burma, Djoko suggested that it would be appropriate for an Indonesian to hold the position. He did not offer any names, but the group was generally supportive of this idea. The delegation agreed that the envoy should not only come from ASEAN, but that that person should be an Indonesian. (Comment: The reasoning behind these comments was unclear; no one offered any clear criteria for selection of an envoy. But we note that the Thai MFA has also recommended to us the selection of an Asian for the position. End Comment.) DISCUSSION OF ASEAN CHARTER -------------- ¶9. (C) Charles Chong -- a Singaporean founding member of the AIPMC -- noted that the ASEAN Charter, currently being drafted, could provide substantial pressure on the Burmese government, as it may include provisions allowing ASEAN to expel members, or suspend their membership. He noted that the Burmese seemed not to take seriously the prospect of pressure emanating from ASEAN. The Burmese did take the threat of UNSC action seriously, though, Chong observed. RTG DISAPPOINTS -------------- ¶10. (C) Thai Former Senator Kraisak noted that the AIPMC delegation, while in Thailand, would not meet with officials of the RTG, since the AIPMC considered the coup-installed government an illegitimate governing body. Kraisak lightheartedly suggested that an Asian Interparliamentary Caucus should be formed on Thailand, given the growing list of similarities between Thailand and Burma, such as controversial constitutional drafting processes that were projected to produce a new elected government. The Thai AIPMC members expressed disappointment with Prime Minister Surayud's relatively weak stance on Burma, as expectations had run high among many in the Burma-watcher and exile communities when Surayud was appointed as Prime Minister, given his tough stance on Burma in the past. PITCH FOR THE INTERNATIONAL PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU) -------------- -------------- ¶11. (C) Before ending the meeting with a group photo, AIPMC Executive Director Roshan made a pitch for high level U.S. participation at the International Parliamentary Union conference in Bali, April 29-May 4. Djoko chimed in with a request that a U.S. congressional delegation attend the meeting. He quickly pointed out that in the last few IPU meetings there was no presence from the U.S. Congress. The Ambassador offered to pass this message to Washington. BOYCE