SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT ON

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000859 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM BM SUBJECT: SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT ON BURMA REF: USUN 00849 ¶1. (SBU) An additional two hours of negotiations between China and the U.S., followed by China and the P-3, then joined by Indonesia, South Africa and the Russian Federation, produced a consensus presidential statement on the situation in Burma on October 11. While initially again rejecting references to the release of political prisoners and remaining detainees in the text (reftel),China conceded to "emphasize the importance of the early release of all political prisoners and remaining detainees" (para 2 sentence 2). Ambassador Khalilzad rebuffed China's effort to eliminate the reference to Aung Sun Suu Kyi in the third paragraph. During closed consultations with all Council members that followed prior to adoption, Chinese DPR Liu said though he was not satisfied with the PRST because it was too strong, China would join the Council to show support for Gambari and his good offices mission. ¶2. (U) Begin text. The Security Council welcomes the recent mission by the Secretary-General's Special Adviser to Myanmar Mr. Ibrahim SIPDIS Gambari, reaffirms its strong and unwavering support for the Secretary-General's good offices mission as mandated by SIPDIS General Assembly Resolution 61/232, and expresses its appreciation for the personal engagement of the Secretary-General. SIPDIS The Security Council strongly deplores the use of violence against peaceful demonstrations in Myanmar and welcomes Human Rights Council Resolution S-5/1 of 2 October 2007. The Security Council emphasizes the importance of the early release of all political prisoners and remaining detainees. It also calls on the Government of Myanmar and all other parties concerned to work together towards a de-escalation of the situation and a peaceful solution. The Security Council stresses the need for the Government of Myanmar to create the necessary conditions for a genuine dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all concerned parties and ethnic groups in order to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation with the direct support of the United Nations. The Security Council encourages the Government of Myanmar to consider seriously Mr. Gambari's recommendations and proposals. The Security Council also calls on the Government of Myanmar to take all necessary measures to address the political, economic, humanitarian, and human rights issues that are the concern of its people and emphasizes that the future of Myanmar lies in the hands of all of its people. The Security Council welcomes the Government of Myanmar's public commitment to work with the United Nations and the appointment of a liaison officer with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The Security Council stresses the importance that such commitments are followed by action. It acknowledges that the Government of Myanmar had invited Mr. Gambari to Myanmar. It underscores its support for his return as early as possible, in order to facilitate concrete actions and tangible results. The Security Council urges the Government of Myanmar and all parties concerned to cooperate fully with Mr. Gambari. The Security Council welcomes the important role played by the ASEAN countries in urging restraint, calling for a peaceful transition to democracy, and supporting the good offices mission. It notes that the good offices mission is a process, and encourages the sustained support and engagement of the international community in helping Myanmar. The Security Council remains seized of the matter. End text. KHALILZAD