BURMA: GAMBARI,S SECOND DAY

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000182 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM SUBJECT: BURMA: GAMBARI,S SECOND DAY REF: A. RANGOON 171 ¶B. RANGOON 179 Classified By: Pol Officer Sean O'Neill for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. The UN told us Gambari held a discussion with the regime's Minister of Information, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Culture today, but noted little of substance was discussed. He also met with the Referendum Commission, whose members could not answer his questions. In a meeting with the UN country team yesterday Gambari stressed the need for the UN to follow through on its previously-stated commitment to socio-economic reform. The country team in turn advised Gambari of the need for movement on political issues as well. NLD confirmed that the regime will permit the Central Executive Committee (the Uncles) to meet with Gambari tomorrow. Our contacts at the UN said the regime continued to withhold Gambari's schedule from UN staff and possibly Gambari himself. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Acting UN Country Representative Dan Baker told us that UN Special Advisor on Burma Gambari held a meeting today with the regime's "Spokes-Authoritative Team" consisting of Minister of Information Kyaw Hsan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nyan Win, and Minister of Culture Khin Aung Myint. Members of Gambari's staff told Baker that Gambari asked the three officials about the recently announced referendum. In response, Kyaw Hsan delivered a lengthy prepared statement on behalf of the regime, but did not engage in any substantive discussion with the envoy. Gambari also met with the regime's Referendum Commission. His staff informed Baker that Gambari asked the commission about specific procedures for the referendum, but received no informative answers from the hand-picked members. Baker informed us that the regime has restricted the UN country team's access to Gambari, but said the envoy's staff have been able to visit UN offices to provide a readout of Gambari's meetings. ¶3. (C) NLD Spokesman Nyan Win reported that the regime informed the NLD that authorities would pick up the Uncles tomorrow to take them to a meeting with Gambari. He noted, however, officials did not tell them when or where the meeting will take place. Baker pointed out the regime continued to withhold Gambari's schedule from UN staff, and said he also did not have any details about the possible NLD meeting. ¶4. (C) The regime permitted Gambari to meet with the UN country team yesterday at UNDP offices. According to UNDP Resident Representative Sanaka Samarasinha (protect),Gambari asked the country team for details on the nature of the referendum and timing of its announcement. He also inquired about the UN's operating environment in Burma, particularly in light of former UN Resident Coordinator Charles Petrie's expulsion from the country. Gambari reiterated his support for the proposed Burma Poverty Alleviation Commission and told the country team he had spoken with Chinese and Indian officials who also supported the initiative. Gambari reminded the country team of its statements late last year in support of improving socio-economic conditions in Burma and urged them against losing sight of that goal. Samarasinha said that the country team, in turn, advised Gambari to push for progress on all issues and recommended he not favor socio-economic matters over political ones in his discussions with the regime. ¶5. (C) Comment. Gambari's continued focus on a poverty alleviation commission appears to be an effort to offer the regime a "carrot" it does not even want. It does not appear that Gambari will even meet with Than Shwe, nor does it appear he will gain any more clarity on the regime's intentions. Since only Than Shwe can make decisions, this makes the prospects of a more credible referendum look more doubtful. End Comment. VILLAROSA