BURMA: A/SYG WAHLSTROM ON HER PROPOSED VISIT

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000806

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR IO, NEA, AND PRM; USAID FOR DCHA; GENEVA FOR
NKYLOH; USEU FOR PBROWN; NSC FOR PMARCHAM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: A/SYG WAHLSTROM ON HER PROPOSED VISIT

REF: STATE 131137


1. (SBU) Summary. Following reftel request, on September 28
USUN ECOSOC Minister Counselor met with Assistant Secretary
General for Humanitarian Affairs Margareta Wahlstrom to
discuss her proposed trip to Burma. Wahlstrom's travel plans
for mid-October include field trips to drought-affected
areas, the Thai border region, and the western zone. Despite
current violence in Burma, Wahlstrom still hopes to travel
and she has received no indication that the standing
invitation of the Burmese government has been rescinded.
USUN expressed objection to Wahlstrom's meeting with the head
of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA)
and requested that she raise the issues outlined by the June
2007 International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC)
statement in meetings with government officials. USUN also
requested that Wahlstrom report back following her mission,
particularly on any progress in addressing the range of
humanitarian concerns raised by ICRC. End summary.



2. (SBU) Wahlstrom reported that her proposed trip to Burma,
a follow-up to an April 2007 mission when she visited Rangoon
and the new capital, is currently planned for mid-October and
should include field travel to drought-affected areas, the
Thai border region (specifically to enhance efforts at
linking humanitarian information from within the country to
information from the Thai Burmese Border Consortium),and the
western zone/Rohingya area. Wahlstrom noted that this agenda
was developed at the suggestion of Burmese government
officials during her April visit and in consultation with the
UN Country Team. On the timing of the trip, Wahlstrom
stressed that her schedule was always planned to follow the
visit of Special Envoy Gambari. (Wahlstrom noted that
Gambari will now arrive in Burma on Saturday, September 29).
Asked how the current events in Burma might impact the timing
of her visit, Wahlstrom replied that she has not received any
indication from the Burmese that her invitation has been
rescinded, but that she will be back in contact with the
Burmese Ambassador in New York next week when UN General
Assembly (UNGA) activity has slowed. Wahlstrom stressed that
if the Burmese government does not allow her to travel to the
field she will postpone her trip until she is able to travel
outside Rangoon. (Note: A vacancy announcement has been
issued for Wahlstrom's post and she is expected to leave
office at the end of October. End note.)


3. (SBU) USUN emphasized that, particularly under the
current circumstances, it would be inappropriate for
Wahlstrom to meet with the head of the Union Solidarity and
Development Association (USDA). Wahlstrom did not directly
answer, but noted the concern.


4. (SBU) USUN also requested that in meetings with
government officials Wahlstrom press the issues outlined by
the ICRC statement of late June 2007, particularly concerning
restricted access and forced labor. USUN requested that
Wahlstrom report back on any progress by the government on
these issues. Wahlstrom noted that access had been a major
focus of her first round of meetings in April and that it
remains high on her agenda for the coming visit. She stated
that she was in close contact with ICRC and confirmed that
there are many issues of common concern, but she also noted
ICRC's sensitivity regarding representation from outside the
Red Cross. Wahlstrom pointed out that her trip itself,
particularly the field visits, will provide a test of access.


5. (SBU) Wahlstrom estimated that her mission will require
at least a week. She will meet with Gambari when he returns
to New York (which she speculated could be as early as
October 1 or 2) and she will also consult with the diplomatic
community in Bangkok while she is in the region.


6. (SBU) USUN highlighted President Bush's announcement of
increased humanitarian assistance for Burma in his recent
address to UNGA. USUN also emphasized that Wahlstrom's trip
must send the right message during this critical time.
Wahlstrom wholeheartedly agreed.
KHALILZAD