CHINA SUGGESTS BURMA RECONSIDER GAMBARI VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 000278 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2028 TAGS: PREL PHUM ETRD CH BM SUBJECT: CHINA SUGGESTS BURMA RECONSIDER GAMBARI VISIT DATE; ENCOURAGES CONTINUING DIALOGUE WITH ASSK REF: A. RANGOON 47 ¶B. STATE 5276 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Chinese officials suggested to Burmese Special Envoy and Deputy Foreign Minister U Maung Myint during his January 21 visit to Beijing that the Burmese regime reconsider UN Special Advisor Gambari's request to visit Burma prior to the April timeframe offered by Burma, MFA Asia Department Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Division Deputy Director Chen Chen told POLOFF January 25. Chen said Chinese officials encouraged continuation of the dialogue between the regime and democratic opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. POLOFF delivered ref B points on banning imports of Burmese gems and hardwood. Chen promised to convey the points to his superiors. End Summary. China suggests further discussion on Gambari visit -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) MFA Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Division Deputy Director Chen Chen on January 25 gave POLOFF an "unofficial" readout of Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister U Maung Myint's January 21 visit to Beijing in the role as Special Envoy of Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein. Chen said that in meetings with State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi, U Maung Myint reiterated that the April timeframe for UN Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari's visit to Burma was necessary to ensure that the Burmese Government could "adequately prepare and make the visit a success." Chinese interlocutors suggested the Burmese Government reconsider Gambari's request for an earlier visit, Chen said. Further discussions between the Burmese Government and the UNSYG's office may yield a date that could accommodate the needs and interests of both sides, Chen added. ¶3. (C) Noting that Gambari's trip to China is a separate matter, Deputy Director Chen said in an aside that discussions on that subject continues but no firm date has been set. China encourages further dialogue with ASSK -------------- ¶4. (C) According to Chen, U Maung Myint reported that the Burmese Government's constitution drafting committee will complete a first draft of a new constitution soon and that the Government held its fourth round of dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi (ref A). Chinese interlocutors encouraged the Burmese Government to continue the dialogue, Chen said. U Maung Myint said the Burmese Government would "make every effort" to achieve success in the dialogue. Hardwood and Gems Demarche Delivered -------------- ¶5. (C) POLOFF delivered ref B points on banning imports of Burmese gems and hardwood. Chen promised to convey the points to his superiors, but commented personally that China would probably continue its "legitimate trade" in hardwood and gems and that an import ban would be impossible to enforce. RANDT