EMBASSY REFUGEE REFERRAL FOR MIN HTIKE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 003802 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2017 TAGS: PREF PREL TH BM SUBJECT: EMBASSY REFUGEE REFERRAL FOR MIN HTIKE Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR SUSAN SUTTON, REASON 1.4 (B, D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See para. 7. ¶2. (SBU) Embassy is referring Burmese citizen, Min Htike, for resettlement to the United States through the Department's Refugee Resettlement Program. Biographical information follows: Name: Min Htike DOB: July 25, 1974 Nationality: Burmese Gender: Male Persecution Claim -------------- ¶3. (C) Mr. Min Htike was sent by the Burmese government to study technical subjects at a university in Russia. Upon his return to Burma in July 2004, he was directed by the Burmese government to start working at a sensitive government facility located in the central Burmese town of Ela where nuclear enrichment research was being conducted. According to Min Htike, he occupied a low-level research position at the facility. Mr. Min Htike left Burma for Malaysia in June 2005 without authorization from his employer. He reports he worked illegally at odd jobs in Malaysia for about one year. He departed Malaysia and came to Thailand in August 2006 and has been working illegally in Thailand since that time. ¶4. (C) Min Htike states that if he returned to Burma, he would face difficulties because he left Burma without permission from his employer and was working at a sensitive government facility where he had access to confidential information. He believes he would be arrested if he were picked up by Burmese government authorities. He says he decided to leave Burma because he did not like the military government for political and economic reasons. He did not want to help that government develop nuclear capability. He thought the government should focus its attention on assisting the Burmese people. Min Htike said he did not engage in any political activity. ¶5. (C) Min Htike said that after his departure from Burma, the Burmese authorities watched and threatened his mother. They insisted she must know her son's whereabouts. To avoid punishment, his mother publicly disowned him. Min Htike believes the Burmese authorities are likely still watching his mother, though he has had no contact with her for the past year. Min Htike is married but has no children. His wife is with him in Thailand. Need for Resettlement -------------- ¶6. (C) It is possible that Min Htike would be detained and possibly imprisoned if he were to return to Burma. There is no durable solution for him in Thailand. ¶7. (C) Post recommends that Department approve this Embassy referral of Min Htike. Please provide guidance on whether post should take further steps in processing this case for U.S. resettlement. BOYCE