GAMBARI BACK IN BURMA

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000179

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR P, EAP/MLS AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL BM UN
SUBJECT: GAMBARI BACK IN BURMA

REF: STATE 22937

Classified By: CDA S Villarosa for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)


1. (C) The UN's Special Advisor on Burma arrived in Rangoon
March 6 and met with the diplomatic community to gather their
insights on the current situation. He informed the diplomats
that the announcement of a referendum on a new constitution
in May and elections for 2010 should be considered a step
forward in terms of putting a timeline on the Burmese
military regime's roadmap. He added that that he would
advise the regime that they needed to take additional steps
to enhance the credibility of the referendum. He also asked
about the state of the dialogue between the regime and Aung
San Suu Kyi. He said he would also offer to address the root
causes of discontent in Burma, referring to his poverty
alleviation proposal. Gambari also said he would advise the
regime that the future of UN's good offices role depended on
his being able to deliver some tangible results. Failure
would not be his personally, he asserted citing a recent
newspaper article, but a failure of the UN system to take
preventative action.


2. (C) U.S. Charge, British Charge, and Australian, French,
German and Australian Ambassadors all emphasized that Gambari
should focus on the referendum, specifically to make it more
inclusive by releasing political prisoners, removing the
threat of prison terms to critics, permitting free and open
debate, removing restrictions on gatherings of people, and
permitting impartial observers. They also noted that the
failure to publish the draft constitution prevented informed
discussion. The Australian Ambassador reported that the
Prime Minister had informed military troops on March 2 that
the constitution would be approved. The British Charge
pointed out the draft constitution has been prepared in a
flawed manner, so it should be open to further revisions.
Charge informed Gambari that arrests have continued and
criminal charges carrying 20 year prison terms have been
filed against dissenters to the roadmap. She also told him
that the dialogue with ASSK had gone nowhere; the designated
liaison had met her only five times; no one else had been
included in the dialogue; and restrictions had not been eased
so she could gain access to more information. The German
Ambassador noted that the conditions of the political
prisoners appear to be worsening, urging Gambari to seek
improvements. The Singaporean Ambassador on behalf of ASEAN
read a short statement that viewed the announcement of the
referendum and elections positively, adding that they must be
credible and inclusive. None of the other diplomats present
spoke.


3. (C) Gambari welcomed the comments, promising to try to
make the referendum as credible and inclusive as possible.
He would emphasize the importance of a free and fair
campaign, with access to the media, and offer technical
assistance and monitors. He told the diplomats that he hoped
to be able to report the results of his conversations to them
before he departed Burma. He introduced his new spokeswoman,
Ms. Chan, and his assistant, Erwan Pouchous.


4. (C) Charge spoke with the Acting UN Resrep about
Gambari's schedule after the briefing concluded. He said
that it remained in considerable flux, with Gambari possibly
staying in Rangoon for all his meetings, including with
government ministers. Meetings with NLD and ASSK look
likely, although not today; visits to the political prisoners
do not appear likely. The ICRC Representative was escorted
in to meet with Gambari as the diplomats departed.
VILLAROSA