Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TOKYO4218
2007-09-10 09:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

MOFA ON OPPOSITION CRACKDOWN IN BURMA

Tags:  PGOV PREL PHUM BM JA 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHKO #4218 2530912
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 100912Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7439
INFO RUEHZS/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHZU/ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION PRIORITY
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON PRIORITY 2255
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 004218 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM JA
SUBJECT: MOFA ON OPPOSITION CRACKDOWN IN BURMA


Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer For Reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 004218

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM JA
SUBJECT: MOFA ON OPPOSITION CRACKDOWN IN BURMA


Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer For Reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).


1. (C) Summary: The crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators
and the opposition "does not necessarily signal a return to
large-scale armed violence or an increased military threat,"
according to Japanese Foreign Ministry officials. Japan, at
this point, has no plans for public statements criticizing
the Burmese regime, but MOFA officials admit that if the
violence escalates, it will be difficult to maintain support
for "dialogue" with Burma's rulers. Japan appreciates U.S.
efforts to consult with Japan on Burma, but maintains its
policy of engagement and dialogue will not change. MOFA
officials say UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari should visit
Burma soon, but doubt he could "bring about immediate
results." End Summary.


2. (C) Japan is closely watching the Burmese regime's recent
arrests and beatings of protesters and pro-democracy
activists in Burma, and is deeply concerned about the
violence and human rights abuses, MOFA First Southeast Asia
Division Principal Deputy Director Atsushi Kuwabara told
Embassy Tokyo Political Officer on September 7. The uptick
in arrests, however, does not necessarily signal an increased
military threat or a return to large-scale armed violence.
It is too early to tell if this is the start of long-term
deterioration in Burma, and we must monitor the situation
closely, Kuwabara said. MOFA is not planning to issue a
press statement at this time, but will continue to watch the
situation closely. Turning to the September 5 clash between
monks and local government officials, Japan is concerned
about rumors that local military or government officials
fired warning shots at the monks, Kuwabara noted. A shooting
would quickly escalate violence, agreed Kuwabara and MOFA
First Southeast Asia Division officer Nambu.


3. (C) It would be very beneficial for Special Envoy Ibrahim
Gambari to visit Burma to convey the UN concerns and to
facilitate dialogue between the regime and members of the
democracy movement and ethnic minority groups, Kuwabara and
Nambu stated. Tokyo does not think Gambari would be able to
bring about immediate visible results, but it would be an
important first step in a long process. Gambari would be
able to engage in direct dialogue between Than Shwe and Aung
San Suu Kyi, Kuwabara emphasized.


4. (C) It is important to take a comprehensive foreign policy
approach to Burma, Nambu asserted. In addition to promoting
human rights and democratization, we must not neglect
economic development and humanitarian aid when formulating
our foreign policy strategy on Burma. For example, Japan is
increasingly concerned about growing economic disparity
there. The economic situation is deteriorating rapidly due
to inflation, especially in border areas, and humanitarian
aid needs to be an important part of our Burma policy. The
international community needs to lift restrictions and make
it easier for humanitarian aid organizations to operate in
Burma, Nambu emphasized. Increased violence and a continued
crackdown on peace activists will make it more difficult to
maintain international support for dialogue with Burma. It
is important for the international community not to isolate
Burma because this will bring Burma and China closer together
and make it more difficult to accomplish our shared goals,
cautioned Kuwabara and Nambu.


5. (C) Kuwabara asked Embassy Tokyo Political Officer if the
United States meeting with the Burmese Government in Beijing
was a one-time occurrence, or if it was a policy shift that
marked the beginning of on-going direct dialogue between the
United States and Burmese Government. It is very important
for the United States and Japan to consult closely with each
other regarding our approaches for achieving our shared
goals, Kuwabara and Nambu emphasized.


6. (C) Comment: On a number of occasions, these and other
MOFA interlocutors have raised the June meeting in Beijing
and asked why the United States did not seek Tokyo's
assistance in facilitating the meeting. In light of our
interlocutors' desire to consult with us and play a positive
role, it would be useful to take the Japanese up on their
offer to consult and cooperate to address the ongoing
crackdown. End Comment.
Schieffer