BURMA: JAPANESE FM KOUMURA MEETS WITH SPECIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 005342

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/27/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL BM JA
SUBJECT: BURMA: JAPANESE FM KOUMURA MEETS WITH SPECIAL
ADVISOR GAMBARI

REF: A. SINGAPORE 2091

B. SINGAPORE 2093

C. TOKYO 5336

Classified By: A/DCM Michael Meserve per 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) Summary: During a November 21 meeting in Singapore,
Special Advisor Gambari told Japanese Foreign Minister
Koumura that he has been pressing the Burmese authorities to
relax their restrictions on Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK),engage
in dialogue with her and take steps towards democratization
in order to win the international community's support. FM
Koumura stressed the need for a substantial dialogue between
the Burmese government and ASSK and offered his backing for
Gambari's efforts, including possibly offering personnel and
other support for the Special Advisor's proposed resident
office in Rangoon. End Summary.


2. (C) Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura met November 21 in
Singapore with Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari. In their
second meeting since meeting in Tokyo in late October,
Gambari expressed regret that he was not able to attend the
EAS meeting, but that he was nonetheless able to have
meaningful discussions with many heads of states and foreign
ministers of ASEAN and other countries (Refs A and B),MOFA
Southeast Asia Division I Principal Deputy Director Atsushi
Kuwabara told Embassy Tokyo. A "small window" is currently
open between the Burmese government and Aung San Suu Kyi on
the issue of conducting a dialogue, and it is important for
the international community to offer its support in order to
open it further, Gambari said. To follow up on his mediation
efforts, Gambari explained that a small-scale resident office
will be opened in Rangoon, and Gambari requested Japan to
consider offering support for this office.


3. (C) FM Koumura said he highly values the modestly positive
news to date, including the two meetings between the Burmese
government and ASSK as a result of Gambari's efforts. The FM
added that it is important for the dialogue to become
substantial and sustained. He further explained that, during
his November 20 meeting with FM Win, FM Koumura "strongly
requested" that the Burmese government offer its full
cooperation to Gambari for the sake of democratization and
human rights (Ref C). On the opening of the resident office
in Rangoon, FM Koumura stated Japan would like to cooperate,
including through contributing personnel.


4. (C) Gambari told FM Koumura that the Burmese government
has two "psychological bottlenecks:" the release of ASSK and
the issue of economic sanctions. Gambari stated that he has
been explaining that it is important to relax the
restrictions imposed on ASSK, even if her immediate release
is impossible. On sanctions, Gambari related to FM Koumura
that he has been telling the Burmese that lifting economic
sanctions will be difficult unless there are constructive
steps towards democratization.


5. (C) In response, FM Koumura said that he made a similar
statement to FM Win regarding economic sanctions and
emphasized the importance of showing Burma's strong
determination for democratization in order to receive the
international community's support. FM Koumura further
expressed to FM Win that he strongly hopes dialogue will
begin between the government and ASSK to bring about
constructive results. Japan will continue to fully support
the UN Secretary General's mediating efforts, including
Special Advisor Gambari's role, FM Koumura said.
DONOVAN