Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MOSCOW5182
2007-10-29 08:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:
GOR INTERPRETS BURMA DIFFERENTLY
how-toVZCZCXRO1673 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDBU RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHMO #5182 3020837 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 290837Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4892 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 005182
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM CVIS ETRD BM RS
SUBJECT: GOR INTERPRETS BURMA DIFFERENTLY
REF: A. STATE 146862
B. MOSCOW 4856
C. MOSCOW 4774
Classified By: Political M/C Alice Wells for reasons 1.4 (b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 005182
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM CVIS ETRD BM RS
SUBJECT: GOR INTERPRETS BURMA DIFFERENTLY
REF: A. STATE 146862
B. MOSCOW 4856
C. MOSCOW 4774
Classified By: Political M/C Alice Wells for reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) On October 25, MFA Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and
Thailand Division Second Secretary Aleksey Semenikhin
provided a more nuanced GOR position on recent events in
Burma (refs B and C). Displaying refreshing honesty, he
acknowledged that earlier claims the GOR had limited
information on the Burmese government's crackdown on
pro-democracy demonstrators were overstated, as was an MFA
official's contention that many of the Buddhist monks
participating in the demonstrations were not genuine.
According to Semenikhin, the MFA received frequent and
detailed reports from its Embassy in Rangoon during the
crisis. Russia's extensive sources, including government
officials, private citizens and representatives of Burma's
various ethnic groups, supplied on-the-scenes reports to the
GOR. Semenikhin said the difference between the U.S. and GOR
positions on Burma reflects only "different interpretations"
of the information.
2. (C) Semenikhin stressed that the October 22 GOR statement
praising the Burmese regime for establishing a commission to
draft a new Constitution was not intended to discount the
recent violence in Burma. The GOR made clear its disapproval
of the violence by supporting the October 11 UNSC
Presidential Statement. The GOR's more recent statement
aimed to demonstrate that the situation in Burma had
"stabilized" and the Burmese government was ready to move
forward with its roadmap for reform to end political and
ethnic tensions in the country.
3. (C) Semenikhin appreciated the information on new U.S.
sanctions imposed on Burma (ref A),but reiterated that the
GOR views efforts to isolate the Burmese regime as
counterproductive. Semenikhin argued that sanctions would be
ineffective without the participation of China and India.
"We all know" that China and India are particularly
interested in Burma's extensive natural resources and "will
not do anything" that could harm their relations with the
Burmese regime, Semenikhin added.
Burns
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM CVIS ETRD BM RS
SUBJECT: GOR INTERPRETS BURMA DIFFERENTLY
REF: A. STATE 146862
B. MOSCOW 4856
C. MOSCOW 4774
Classified By: Political M/C Alice Wells for reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) On October 25, MFA Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and
Thailand Division Second Secretary Aleksey Semenikhin
provided a more nuanced GOR position on recent events in
Burma (refs B and C). Displaying refreshing honesty, he
acknowledged that earlier claims the GOR had limited
information on the Burmese government's crackdown on
pro-democracy demonstrators were overstated, as was an MFA
official's contention that many of the Buddhist monks
participating in the demonstrations were not genuine.
According to Semenikhin, the MFA received frequent and
detailed reports from its Embassy in Rangoon during the
crisis. Russia's extensive sources, including government
officials, private citizens and representatives of Burma's
various ethnic groups, supplied on-the-scenes reports to the
GOR. Semenikhin said the difference between the U.S. and GOR
positions on Burma reflects only "different interpretations"
of the information.
2. (C) Semenikhin stressed that the October 22 GOR statement
praising the Burmese regime for establishing a commission to
draft a new Constitution was not intended to discount the
recent violence in Burma. The GOR made clear its disapproval
of the violence by supporting the October 11 UNSC
Presidential Statement. The GOR's more recent statement
aimed to demonstrate that the situation in Burma had
"stabilized" and the Burmese government was ready to move
forward with its roadmap for reform to end political and
ethnic tensions in the country.
3. (C) Semenikhin appreciated the information on new U.S.
sanctions imposed on Burma (ref A),but reiterated that the
GOR views efforts to isolate the Burmese regime as
counterproductive. Semenikhin argued that sanctions would be
ineffective without the participation of China and India.
"We all know" that China and India are particularly
interested in Burma's extensive natural resources and "will
not do anything" that could harm their relations with the
Burmese regime, Semenikhin added.
Burns