Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MOSCOW4480
2007-09-12 12:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:
RUSSIA WILL CONSIDER UNSC MEETING ON BURMA, BUT
how-toVZCZCXRO5339 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHMO #4480 2551233 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 121233Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3766 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0354
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 004480
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA WILL CONSIDER UNSC MEETING ON BURMA, BUT
SAYS IT PREFERS ISSUE BE HANDLED ELSEWHERE
REF: STATE 125430
Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells for reasons 1.4 (b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 004480
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA WILL CONSIDER UNSC MEETING ON BURMA, BUT
SAYS IT PREFERS ISSUE BE HANDLED ELSEWHERE
REF: STATE 125430
Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells for reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) Russia will consider our request to convene a formal
briefing of the UN Security Council by Special Envoy for
Burma Gambari (reftel),but believes that the situation is an
internal matter not appropriate for the UNSC, according to
Alexey Semenikhin of the MFA Department of ASEAN Member
States. Semenikhin told us on September 12 that the GOR does
not have a position on the current crisis in Burma and that
it should be left to the Burmese government to resolve the
situation without foreign interference. Stressing that the
GOR supports Gambari's mission to Burma, he questioned
whether the Special Envoy could play a role in resolving the
situation. Semenikhin reiterated the Russian position that
Burma is not an international security issue and should be
handled outside the UNSC.
2. (C) Semenikhin offered the view that the ongoing protests
in Burma are the outgrowth of economic problems and not a
true political crisis. He rejected the idea that the current
government crack-down demonstrates the regime's opposition to
genuine dialogue and pointed to Burma's National Convention
and roadmap for political reform as evidence that the Burmese
Generals are serious about allowing some level of democratic
participation. The result will not be a western-style
democracy, but there are many forms of democracy, especially
in Southeast Asia. Semenikhin admitted that this will be a
slow process, but one the international community must
respect.
Burns
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA WILL CONSIDER UNSC MEETING ON BURMA, BUT
SAYS IT PREFERS ISSUE BE HANDLED ELSEWHERE
REF: STATE 125430
Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells for reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) Russia will consider our request to convene a formal
briefing of the UN Security Council by Special Envoy for
Burma Gambari (reftel),but believes that the situation is an
internal matter not appropriate for the UNSC, according to
Alexey Semenikhin of the MFA Department of ASEAN Member
States. Semenikhin told us on September 12 that the GOR does
not have a position on the current crisis in Burma and that
it should be left to the Burmese government to resolve the
situation without foreign interference. Stressing that the
GOR supports Gambari's mission to Burma, he questioned
whether the Special Envoy could play a role in resolving the
situation. Semenikhin reiterated the Russian position that
Burma is not an international security issue and should be
handled outside the UNSC.
2. (C) Semenikhin offered the view that the ongoing protests
in Burma are the outgrowth of economic problems and not a
true political crisis. He rejected the idea that the current
government crack-down demonstrates the regime's opposition to
genuine dialogue and pointed to Burma's National Convention
and roadmap for political reform as evidence that the Burmese
Generals are serious about allowing some level of democratic
participation. The result will not be a western-style
democracy, but there are many forms of democracy, especially
in Southeast Asia. Semenikhin admitted that this will be a
slow process, but one the international community must
respect.
Burns