URGING SINGAPORE TO KEEP THE PRESSURE ON THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SINGAPORE 001832

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2022
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BM SN
SUBJECT: URGING SINGAPORE TO KEEP THE PRESSURE ON THE
BURMESE REGIME

REF: A) SECSTATE 137644 B) SINGAPORE 1812

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Daniel Shields for Reason 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) Summary: The CDA met with Singapore MFA Permanent
Secretary Peter Ho to urge Singapore to keep up the pressure

SIPDIS
on the Burmese regime to end the violence and begin a genuine
transition to a civilian, democratic, government in Burma.
Ho said Singapore and ASEAN could not remain silent after
what had happened in Burma. Singapore will continue to work
closely with Special Envoy Gambari, who is expected to pass
through Singapore once he finishes his current visit to
Burma. Singapore does not believe sanctions will be
effective in changing the Burmese regime's behavior, Ho said.
The CDA stressed that effective action on Burma by ASEAN is
needed to maintain the organization's credibility as it
launches the ASEAN Charter and the regional human rights
body. End Summary.

Keep Up the Pressure
--------------


2. (C) The CDA met with Singapore MFA Permanent Secretary
Peter Ho on October 2 to pursue Ref A objectives and urge
Singapore to keep up the pressure on the Burmese regime. The
CDA thanked Ho for Singapore's strong bilateral statements
and its leadership in generating a forceful ASEAN statement.
The United States appreciates Singapore's backing for Special
Envoy Gambari's efforts. Now more pressure has to be brought
to bear to persuade the Burmese regime to end the violence
and begin a genuine transition to a civilian, democratic,
government. The CDA made Ref A point that the United States
is tightening its sanctions and encourages other governments
to consider imposing similar sanctions targeted at senior
leaders of the regime, their immediate family members, and
their financial supporters.

Singapore will Continue to Work with Gambari
--------------


3. (C) PermSec Ho responded that the U.S. message has been
received "loud and clear." Singapore and ASEAN could not
remain silent after what happened in Burma. Singapore will
continue to work closely with Gambari, who is expected to
pass through Singapore once he finishes his current visit to
Burma. Ho argued in familiar terms, however, that Singapore
does not believe sanctions will be effective in changing the
Burmese regime's behavior. The Burmese regime is concerned
about survival and is not worried about being isolated.
Singapore and ASEAN have limited influence over Burma. China
and, to a lesser degree, India have more influence than
ASEAN, Ho claimed. After Burma snubbed ASEAN's special
emissary Malaysian FM Syed Hamid it was clear that the regime
preferred dealing with UN Special Envoy Gambari. Ho stated
that Gambari's efforts offer the best hope for a peaceful
resolution of the crisis.

Moving Forward?
--------------


4. (C) When asked how Singapore and ASEAN plan to move
forward on Burma, Ho said ASEAN has made clear its
unhappiness with the regime, but the situation in Burma would
have to get even worse before ASEAN would consider further
measures. Burma is "for good or bad, a member of the ASEAN
family," he said. The CDA stressed that ASEAN needs to take
effective action on Burma to ensure the organization's
credibility as it launches the ASEAN Charter and the regional
human rights body.

Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm
SHIELDS