FOREIGN MINISTER STRESSES NEED TO KEEP PRESSURE ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 003565 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS AARON COPE E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL RP BM SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER STRESSES NEED TO KEEP PRESSURE ON BURMA REF: A. STATE 148530 ¶B. STATE 148528 ¶C. MANILA 3510 ¶D. MANILA 3449 ¶E. MANILA 3443 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In a free-ranging October 30 lunch discussion with the Ambassador, Foreign Minister Alberto Romulo expressed his hope that ASEAN leaders would craft a strong statement on Burma in their upcoming summit in Singapore. Romulo stressed the importance of maintaining pressure on the regime while events in Burma still held the public's attention, and he repeated his earlier-stated view that greater engagement on the part of China was key. After a brief hiatus during which Burma was eclipsed in Philippine national media by high-profile domestic developments, the ongoing Burma crisis has returned to the attention of leading dailies and other media, the reports of which have included recent actions by the EU and the United States. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) During his discussion with the Ambassador, Romulo confessed that ASEAN had little to show for its ten years of engagement with Burma's junta, and opined that it was time now for tough talk, rather than half measures. He said that he had hopes that the November 18-22 ASEAN Summit and related meetings would yield a robust statement on Burma. Romulo expressed confidence in ASEAN Chair George Yeo of Singapore garnering support for such a resolution, although he confided his misgivings regarding the commitment of some other ASEAN members to a strong stance on Burma, and noted that in any event, Burma's presence at the meetings will preclude a unanimous vote. (As reported in reftel C, Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs officials perceive no consensus on barring Burma from further participation in ASEAN, and in fact have their own doubts as to the efficacy of any such measures.) Romulo continues to see an increased Chinese role as a crucial element in faster progress toward democratization in Burma, as well as greater cooperation on the part of the regime with UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari. ¶3. (SBU) After being temporarily displaced in Philippine media by nationwide municipal elections and Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's pardon of former President Joseph Estrada, Burma has returned to national attention in the Philippine media. The Sunday, October 28, edition of highest-circulation Philippine Daily Inquirer featured a full page of in-depth analysis on Burma, outlining historical background, economic issues at stake and barriers to more effective results by the international community, as well as possible avenues for further action. On October 30, Burma regained the front page in the leading daily Philippine Star with a report on remarks by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. The French minister, traveling through Southeast Asia to bring attention to Burma, was outspoken in his criticism of the regime, and explained that the junta's recent behavior had made inevitable the October 25 imposition of additional sanctions by the EU. KENNEY