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