SINGAPORE PM LEE "ENCOURAGED" BY UN ADVISOR

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 001842 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM BM SN SUBJECT: SINGAPORE PM LEE "ENCOURAGED" BY UN ADVISOR GAMBARI'S BURMA MISSION ¶1. (SBU) In response to our request for information on UN Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari,s October 3 discussions with Singapore officials, MFA confirmed that he had met with Prime Minister Lee and Foreign Minister Yeo. MFA provided us the press statement in paragraph two but no further details at this point. We will use the opportunity of the Charge,s scheduled October 4 meeting with the PM,s Principal Private Secretary to try to obtain a readout. SIPDIS ¶2. (U) Begin text MFA Press statement. The UN Secretary General's Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari is passing through Singapore following his recent visit to Myanmar. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in Singapore's capacity as ASEAN Chair, received a courtesy call by Mr. Gambari. Mr. Lee exchanged views with Mr. Gambari on his visit to Myanmar, where he had met the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Mr. Lee was encouraged by the access and cooperation given by the Myanmar government to Mr. Gambari. Mr. Lee had earlier discussed the developments in Myanmar with the other ASEAN leaders. Mr. Lee told Mr. Gambari that ASEAN is fully behind his mission to help all parties involved in Myanmar work towards a political solution for national reconciliation and a peaceful transition to democracy. Singapore has conveyed these views to Myanmar leaders, and has called on Myanmar to continue keeping its channels open to the UN. Mr. Lee also encouraged Mr. Gambari to press on with the UN's efforts, which offer the best hope for Myanmar and its people. Mr. Gambari also met Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo. They had a fruitful exchange of views on developments in Myanmar. End text. Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm SHIELDS