PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS U.S. POSITION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 002586 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS LAURA SCHEIBE E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2018 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL RP BM SUBJECT: PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS U.S. POSITION ON BURMESE CRACKDOWN REF: STATE 121418 Classified By: Political Counselor Tom Gibbons, Reasons 1.4 B and D ¶1. (C) In a meeting with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Director for Political, Legal, and Security Matters Leah Ruiz of the Office of United Nations & Other International Organizations (UNIO) on November 18, Poloff stressed that the Burmese junta's recent arrests of human rights activists may garner intense media interest at the upcoming ASEAN summit in Chiang Mai. Poloff added that an international media focus on human rights abuses in Burma could dominate the media coverage of the summit, making it difficult for the participants to highlight the progress ASEAN has achieved in other areas. Poloff also conveyed the U.S. request for Philippine support in the United Nations General Assembly on the upcoming Burma resolution. ¶2. (C) Director Ruiz said DFA has been following the junta's recent crackdown on human rights activists and views the developing situation with dismay. She pointed out that the Philippine government has been very vocal in urging the junta to take advantage of the UN's good offices to move towards democracy. She also highlighted the Philippines' strong proactive record in pressing the junta on human rights issues. Ruiz was careful to emphasize that DFA is monitoring the international response to current events in Burma and assured post that the U.S. position on Burma will receive careful consideration. ¶3. (C) Post will continue to engage with DFA to press reftel points. KENNEY