MFA SAYS GAMBARI TO PUSH FOR DIALOGUE IN BURMA;

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 006895

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IO/UNP/PAUL WICKBERG, EAP/MLS/AARON COPE, EAP/CM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2027
TAGS: PREL PHUM CH BM
SUBJECT: MFA SAYS GAMBARI TO PUSH FOR DIALOGUE IN BURMA;
CHINA TO CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR "ROADMAP"

REF: BEIJING 6851

Classified By: Classified by Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlso
n, Reasons 1.4 (b/d).


1. (C) Summary: The Burmese Government has agreed to a
November 5 visit by UN Special Envoy Gambari, and during that
visit Gambari hopes to push for dialogue between the regime
and Aung San Suu Kyi, a more inclusive constitutional process
and measures to improve economic development, an MFA
International Organizations Department official briefed us
October 30. Sun said China hopes Burma will "speed up" the
democratic process but, as Assistant Foreign Minister told
the Ambassador October 25 (reftel),continues to support the
Burmese government's seven-step "roadmap." China remains
open to the Gambari's Burma core group concept, but only with
Burmese government agreement. End summary.


2. (C) MFA International Organizations Department UN Division
Deputy Director Sun Xiaobo on October 30 briefed U.S., New
Zealand, French, UK, Norwegian and Canadian Embassy
representatives on UN Special Envoy Gambari's October 24-25
visit to China. Sun noted that Burmese authorities have
invited Gambari to visit on November 5 and that Gambari is
currently waiting in Singapore to depart for Rangoon. Deputy
Director Sun said he does not expect China to take any
measures to urge the Burmese government to advance Gambari's
trip to earlier in November.

MFA sees positive steps in Burma
--------------


3. (C) Deputy Director Sun mentioned that in separate
discussions October 24-25 with Chinese State Councilor Tang
Jiaxuan, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Assistant Foreign
Minister He Yafei, Gambari said that during his September
visit to Burma he had sent "strong signals" to the Burmese
Government and made "serious recommendations" not only about
calming the current situation but also on addressing the
medium and long term. Sun observed that the recent measures
taken by Burmese authorities, including lifting of the
curfew, "releasing those arrested," withdrawing troops from
the streets, a willingness to hold a dialogue (as shown by
the appointment of a "relations minister" for talks with Aung
San Suu Kyi) and the acceptance of a visit by UN Special
Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma Paulo Sergio Pinheiro
are all positive steps.

Four Principles
--------------


4. (C) Sun said that Gambari reiterated to his Chinese
interlocutors the four principles of his "good offices"
mission. First, the "good offices" mission is a process, not
a single event, requiring patience, understanding and
persistence. Second, the issues span a broad range,
including political reconciliation, poverty, disease
prevention, counter-narcotics, forced labor and child
soldiers. Third, the "good offices" mission needs to achieve
concrete results. Fourth, all parties in Burma should
contribute to resolving the issues.

ASEAN Opposes Sanctions
--------------


5. (C) As Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei told the
Ambassador October 25 (reftel),Sun said that Gambari had
reported that all the ASEAN countries he visited supported
his mission, but none supported sanctions.

Three Targets for Next Visit
--------------


6. (C) Sun said Gambari set three targets for his next visit
to Burma. First, he would encourage the Burmese government
and relevant parties to start a dialogue as soon as possible.
According to Sun, Gambari told the Chinese that the
differences between Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burmese
Government are "not insurmountable," and, if both sides show
flexibility, the "gap may narrow." (Note: In contrast, as
reported reftel, Gambari told the Ambassador that Aung San
Suu Kyi and the Burmese generals share deep mutual distrust.)
Second, Gambari will work with the Burmese government to
"expand the inclusiveness" of the constitutional process.
The Burmese regime, taking step three in its "road map to
democracy" recently established a National Constitution
Drafting Committee, and Gambari will encourage the Burmese
government to make this committee more inclusive. Third,

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Gambari will advise the Burmese Government to implement
measures that stimulate the economic and social development
of the Burmese population.

China's Views
--------------


7. (C) Sun said Chinese officials told Gambari that, as a
neighbor, China wishes to see Burma establish development,
stability, democracy and social harmony as soon as possible.
The current situation "is moving in a positive direction, and
all parties should work in a positive direction." China
hopes Burma can "speed up the democratic process," following
an approach that "is suitable for the situation in Burma."
Burma's seven-step "roadmap" is not perfect, but it is a
basis for moving forward, Sun said. Sun reiterated that the
Burma issue does not constitute a threat to international
peace and security and will only be resolved by the Burmese
Government and the people of Burma. Sanctions will be
counter-productive, because they will "lead Burma to close
its doors to the international community."

Core Group?
--------------


8. (C) Sun said Chna expressed its appreciation to Gambari
and for the role of the UN Secretary General and confirmed
its positive and its continuing support for Gambari's
mission. China also emphasized the important role for ASEAN
member countries to play in resolving the Burma issue. In
response to questions about China's participation in a core
group, Sun said that China will "seriously consider any
proposal that is conducive to a final resolution" of the
Burma situation, but that the understanding and cooperation
of the Burmese government is crucial. Sun said that Chinese
officials advised Gambari to gain Burmese government views on
the subject during his next visit.
Randt