SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT ON

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000859

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SENSITIVE
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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

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Gambari, reaffirms its strong and unwavering support for the
Secretary-General's good offices mission as mandated by

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General Assembly Resolution 61/232, and expresses its
appreciation for the personal engagement of the
Secretary-General.

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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