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