DEMARCHE ON GAMBARI VISIT TO BURMA

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 000843 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS ACOPE, EAP/CM AND IO E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/7/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM UNSC CH BM SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON GAMBARI VISIT TO BURMA REF: STATE 22937 (NOTAL) Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson for reasons 1.4 b, d. ¶1. (C) PolOffs on March 7 discussed with MFA International Organizations and Conferences Department UN Division Deputy Director Yao Shaojun and Asian Affairs Department Counselor Yang Jian reftel points (delivered to MFA March 6) urging China to press the Burmese regime to cooperate with UN Special Advisor Gambari and to adhere to international standards in the conduct of the planned May referendum. Yao said that China "does not need the United States to tell it to press Burma to cooperate with Gambari." "China has been doing, is doing, and will do its job" on Burma. China has been conveying its opinions to the Burmese government "in a constructive manner," Yao said, and Burma "clearly understands China's signals." ¶2. (C) In response to our point on the referendum, Yao said that Burma's plans to hold a referendum are "a step forward" and asked rhetorically "do all countries need international monitoring of their referenda?" After PolOff replied that the recent political history of Burma gave clear grounds for the international community's concerns, Yao said piling too many requests on the Burmese government "may have good intentions but not have good effect" in inducing cooperation. In response to PolOff's raising the possibility of additional UNSC measures should the Burmese regime fail to cooperate with Gambari, Yao said "the mediation effort is a long process and it is not fair to pin all expectations on one visit." RANDT