Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIJING278
2008-01-25 10:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
CHINA SUGGESTS BURMA RECONSIDER GAMBARI VISIT
how-toVZCZCXRO6517 OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHGH RUEHHM RUEHNH RUEHTRO RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #0278 0251010 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 251010Z JAN 08 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4632 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
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).
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
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