Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NEWDELHI456
2008-02-12 12:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:
MENON ATTEMPTS TO DRAW OUT BURMESE REGIME DURING
how-toVZCZCXRO5828 OO RUEHBI RUEHCHI RUEHCI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHGH RUEHHM RUEHLH RUEHNH RUEHPW RUEHVC DE RUEHNE #0456 0431201 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 121201Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0403 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 1231 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 1400 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 6007
C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 000456
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM IN
SUBJECT: MENON ATTEMPTS TO DRAW OUT BURMESE REGIME DURING
VISIT
REF: NEW DELHI 430
Classified By: Political Counselor Ted Osius for Reasons 1.4 (B and D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 000456
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM IN
SUBJECT: MENON ATTEMPTS TO DRAW OUT BURMESE REGIME DURING
VISIT
REF: NEW DELHI 430
Classified By: Political Counselor Ted Osius for Reasons 1.4 (B and D)
1. (C) In a February 11 meeting with Ambassador Mulford,
Indian Foreign Secretary Menon reported that his February
8-10 visit to Burma made some progress. Regarding UN Special
Envoy Ibrahim Gambari, Menon related that the Burmese regime
would likely meet with Gambari in a third country. However,
Menon continued, the regime believes that Gambari's good
offices do not include "mediation between the regime and Aung
San Suu Kyi or political processes within Burma." Menon also
conveyed that the Foreign Secretary told him the regime will
soon start a dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK).
2. (C) Menon said that he told his Burmese counterparts that
the constitutional timetable to 2010 was "not credible." He
noted that he encouraged them to engage in "broad
consultations" that go beyond ASSK, particularly with ethnic
groups. But, Menon opined, unless the Constitution Drafting
Committee engages in a dialogue with these groups, it will
produce a document that only suits the regime.
3. (C) Comment: Menon's trip to Burma follows Gambari's
January 31 sojourn to Delhi, which, in conjunction with the
January visit by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, has put
pressure on India to attempt to influence the Burmese regime.
Given that one specific request Gambari left Menon (see
reftel) was to help arrange a meeting with the GOB, even in a
third country, the Foreign Secretary will be able to claim
delivery if the Burmese regime follows through on its offer.
However, Menon's efforts notwithstanding, India will continue
to balance expressions of concern about the human rights
situation and lack of democracy with its stated national
security interests in fighting terrorists in the northeast,
having access to Burmese natural resources, and balancing
China's presence in the region.
WHITE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM IN
SUBJECT: MENON ATTEMPTS TO DRAW OUT BURMESE REGIME DURING
VISIT
REF: NEW DELHI 430
Classified By: Political Counselor Ted Osius for Reasons 1.4 (B and D)
1. (C) In a February 11 meeting with Ambassador Mulford,
Indian Foreign Secretary Menon reported that his February
8-10 visit to Burma made some progress. Regarding UN Special
Envoy Ibrahim Gambari, Menon related that the Burmese regime
would likely meet with Gambari in a third country. However,
Menon continued, the regime believes that Gambari's good
offices do not include "mediation between the regime and Aung
San Suu Kyi or political processes within Burma." Menon also
conveyed that the Foreign Secretary told him the regime will
soon start a dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK).
2. (C) Menon said that he told his Burmese counterparts that
the constitutional timetable to 2010 was "not credible." He
noted that he encouraged them to engage in "broad
consultations" that go beyond ASSK, particularly with ethnic
groups. But, Menon opined, unless the Constitution Drafting
Committee engages in a dialogue with these groups, it will
produce a document that only suits the regime.
3. (C) Comment: Menon's trip to Burma follows Gambari's
January 31 sojourn to Delhi, which, in conjunction with the
January visit by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, has put
pressure on India to attempt to influence the Burmese regime.
Given that one specific request Gambari left Menon (see
reftel) was to help arrange a meeting with the GOB, even in a
third country, the Foreign Secretary will be able to claim
delivery if the Burmese regime follows through on its offer.
However, Menon's efforts notwithstanding, India will continue
to balance expressions of concern about the human rights
situation and lack of democracy with its stated national
security interests in fighting terrorists in the northeast,
having access to Burmese natural resources, and balancing
China's presence in the region.
WHITE