GVN LEADERS URGE BURMA'S PM TO PURSUE RECONCILIATION;

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 001932 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS Department for EAP/MLS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL BM VM SUBJECT: GVN LEADERS URGE BURMA'S PM TO PURSUE RECONCILIATION; COOPERATE WITH UN REFS: HANOI 1723; HANOI 1840 HANOI 00001932 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. On November 9, Burma's Prime Minister Thein Sein arrived in Hanoi for introductory meetings with GVN leaders. According to Vietnamese officials, PM Sein's message focused on the Burma regime's cooperation with the UN, its progress on restoring order and its plans to transition to a civilian-run government. GVN leaders reportedly urged PM Sein to pursue a process of reconciliation that includes Aung San Suu Kyi and other groups and to continue cooperation with the UN. They also explicitly offered their own experience of "national reconciliation and global integration" as an example for Burma to consider. End Summary. A Routine Visit in the "ASEAN Tradition" -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On November 13, Poloff met with MFA Asia II Department Assistant Director Pham Hung Tam to discuss Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein's November 9-10 visit to Hanoi. PM Sein was accompanied on the visit by his Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Commerce, and Planning and Economic Development. The invitation to visit was offered during GVN Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung's August visit to Burma. PM Sein's Hanoi visit was also consistent with the ASEAN "tradition" of visits by new prime ministers to other ASEAN members, explained Tam. PM Sein's schedule consisted of a working session with PM Dung and a courtesy call on President Nguyen Minh Triet. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat, who is the GVN chairman of the Vietnam-Burma Joint Commission, both attended the meeting between the two Prime Ministers. Burma PM Highlights "Progress" and Steps Ahead -------------- - ¶3. (SBU) According to Tam, the main topic of the meetings was the current situation in Burma. PM Sein reported that the situation is "stable" and that the Burmese government is cooperating fully with UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon and his special envoy Ibrahim Gambari. PM Sein noted that the Burmese government had complied with the UN's five conditions: the lifting of martial law; the withdrawal of troops to their military bases; the release of 2,800 detainees (the remaining 100 detainees continue to be held pending prosecution for crimes); the resumption of a dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi; and the resumption of dialogue with all opposition forces who recognize the authority of the Burmese government. A mechanism has been set up for weekly meetings between Aung San Suu Kyi and her designated Burmese government interlocutor. PM Sein also stated that the Burmese government is trying to implement its seven-step roadmap to democracy. It has set up a commission to draft a new constitution, the product of which will be subject to public comment before being submitted for a referendum. Once the new constitution is adopted, PM Sein said a civilian government will be formed and the military will "withdraw from the scene." GVN Urges Inclusive Dialogue; Cooperation with UN -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Tam reported that, in response, GVN leaders called for the Burmese regime to work towards national reconciliation and offered their support for a process of dialogue that includes the participation of Aung San Suu Kyi. They specified that any such process must meet the demands of all concerned parties. GVN leaders also observed that, while points of view might differ among ASEAN members, Burma should consider that ASEAN has an important role in Burma's reconciliation process. The GVN supports the Burmese government's cooperation with the UN Secretary General to date and urges further cooperation. Tam noted that the GVN side stressed that, in the past, Vietnam has also been the "victim" of an embargo, and as a result does not support the use of embargos as an effective solution to "political problems," since they increase the suffering of the general population. ¶5. (SBU) According to Tam, GVN leaders also offered two aspects of Vietnam's experience as examples that could be useful for Burma. First, "national solidarity" needs to be taken into account in the process of reconciliation. Second, Vietnam has actively pursued a policy to "deeply integrate" into the region and the world in order to aid in national development. In light of Vietnam's UN Security Council seat, PM Sein expressed the hope that the two countries would assist each other within the UN framework. The GVN response was that, "as a neighboring country, Vietnam looks forward to this cooperation," said Tam. Burma's Approach to Regional Cooperation -------------- ¶6. (SBU) PM Sein said Burma will "do its best to prepare" to sign the ASEAN Charter at the upcoming summit, reported Tam. Burma also HANOI 00001932 002.2 OF 002 wants to participate within the CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Burma and Vietnam) forum and the Strategic Economic Cooperation Conference-ACMECS (Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong),which includes the above four countries plus Thailand. (Note: The fourth CLMV summit meeting and the third ACMECS conference, planned for Hanoi from October 23-26, were cancelled by the GVN, reportedly due to the bridge collapse and flooding disasters. End note) Bilateral Issues Received Less Attention -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Bilateral cooperation in the form of political, economic, agricultural, trade and telecommunications initiatives were discussed as a follow-up to discussions held during PM Dung's August trip. Tam noted that no concrete results were achieved. The two sides agreed to a goal of USD 100 million in two-way trade within an unspecified time period. No documents were signed during the visit. The two sides agreed to hold a meeting of their bilateral joint commission next year in Burma. The Burmese PM also extended an invitation for President Triet to visit Burma, which according to Tam is typical of such visits. The invitation was accepted, but Tam stressed there is no timing in mind. MICHALAK