Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MOSCOW1248
2007-03-23 05:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:
BURMA: RUSSIAN MFA SEES BURMA HEADING IN RIGHT
how-toVZCZCXRO3248 PP RUEHDT RUEHPB DE RUEHMO #1248 0820556 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 230556Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8503 INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1091
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 001248
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM UNSC BM RS
SUBJECT: BURMA: RUSSIAN MFA SEES BURMA HEADING IN RIGHT
DIRECTION
REF: STATE 20000
Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells. Reasons: 1.4(B/D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 001248
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM UNSC BM RS
SUBJECT: BURMA: RUSSIAN MFA SEES BURMA HEADING IN RIGHT
DIRECTION
REF: STATE 20000
Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells. Reasons: 1.4(B/D).
1. (C) In a recent discussion with Anatoliy Borovik, Chief
of the MFA's Burma, Cambodia and Laos Section, we underlined
the U.S. commitment to continue actively promoting national
reconciliation, respect for human rights and a transition to
democracy in Burma. Borovik told us that Russia did not deny
that Burma faced significant challenges, but Moscow did not
view these problems as constituting a threat to international
or even regional peace and stability. When pressed, he made
it clear that Russia was unlikely to support U.S. initiatives
on Burma in the UN or other international fora.
2. (C) Stressing several times Burma's complicated history
and constant challenges to its territorial integrity, Borovik
said that Russia saw the regime's National Convention as a
positive step forward. Warning that progress would be slow,
he said that Moscow supported a step-by-step approach and
viewed efforts at putting pressure on the Burmese government
as self-defeating. Questioning why the U.S. continued to
express an unusual level of concern about the human rights
situation in Burma, Borovik asked why India -- Burma's
neighbor and "the world's biggest democracy" -- not only did
not share these concerns but was actively seeking to build
stronger ties to Rangoon.
3. (C) Borovik argued that the National League for
Democracy had refused to engage in the National Convention
and that other opposition groups had decided to "swallow
their differences" and join in the process. He saw the
National Convention as the only means existing by which Burma
could develop "some sort of democracy." In his view,
international organizations, to the extent they were able,
should work at supporting the Burmese government's efforts to
find a "Burmese style" solution to its internal political
problems.
BURNS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM UNSC BM RS
SUBJECT: BURMA: RUSSIAN MFA SEES BURMA HEADING IN RIGHT
DIRECTION
REF: STATE 20000
Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells. Reasons: 1.4(B/D).
1. (C) In a recent discussion with Anatoliy Borovik, Chief
of the MFA's Burma, Cambodia and Laos Section, we underlined
the U.S. commitment to continue actively promoting national
reconciliation, respect for human rights and a transition to
democracy in Burma. Borovik told us that Russia did not deny
that Burma faced significant challenges, but Moscow did not
view these problems as constituting a threat to international
or even regional peace and stability. When pressed, he made
it clear that Russia was unlikely to support U.S. initiatives
on Burma in the UN or other international fora.
2. (C) Stressing several times Burma's complicated history
and constant challenges to its territorial integrity, Borovik
said that Russia saw the regime's National Convention as a
positive step forward. Warning that progress would be slow,
he said that Moscow supported a step-by-step approach and
viewed efforts at putting pressure on the Burmese government
as self-defeating. Questioning why the U.S. continued to
express an unusual level of concern about the human rights
situation in Burma, Borovik asked why India -- Burma's
neighbor and "the world's biggest democracy" -- not only did
not share these concerns but was actively seeking to build
stronger ties to Rangoon.
3. (C) Borovik argued that the National League for
Democracy had refused to engage in the National Convention
and that other opposition groups had decided to "swallow
their differences" and join in the process. He saw the
National Convention as the only means existing by which Burma
could develop "some sort of democracy." In his view,
international organizations, to the extent they were able,
should work at supporting the Burmese government's efforts to
find a "Burmese style" solution to its internal political
problems.
BURNS