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