MEETING WITH BURMA MINISTER OF LIVESTOCK AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000805 SIPDIS PACOM FOR FPA DEPT FOR EAP/MLS BANGKOK FOR USAID/RDMA, FAS, APHIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID EAGR EFIS PINR BM SUBJECT: MEETING WITH BURMA MINISTER OF LIVESTOCK AND FISHERIES: AI AND NARGIS ASSISTANCE Classified By: CDA Dinger for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d). ¶1. (SBU) Charge d'Affaires Dinger met with Government of Burma Minister of Livestock and Fisheries (MLF) BrigGen Maung Maung Thein in Nay Pyi Taw on October 10. The meeting was in response to a U.S. request for introductory calls on GOB ministers whose portfolios relate to U.S. interests. Excellent collaboration on Avian Influenza -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Charge complimented the Ministry's collaborative work with the UN and donors, including the U.S., on AI efforts, noting there have been no new reported cases in Burma in nearly a year, and the previous cases, including one in a young girl (December 2007),were handled well. Charge inquired about coordination with neighboring countries that are presumed to be the sources for past cases in Burma. The Minister responded with a general brief on Burma's AI efforts and expressed appreciation for USG assistance. He noted GOB willingness to help the U.S. as well, as when U.S. embassies experienced an anthrax scare some years ago. MLF was prepared to test powder samples then, and would still do so today, if needed. Ministry's Cyclone Nargis relief effort; broader aid request -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The Charge noted reports that MLF responded rapidly to the Cyclone Nargis disaster, giving replacement draft cattle, pigs, chickens, and ducks, offering fishing boats to local fishermen, and providing animal feed and veterinary care. The Charge affirmed that USAID/OFDA provided USD 1.6 million to implementing partners for agriculture and fisheries development in the Delta as part of its broader USD 50 million relief assistance. The Minister acknowledged the importance of USG aid in the cyclone-response effort which, from his Ministry's perspective, is progressing well. He added that more U.S. aid in a broader context would be very welcome. He mentioned particularly a need for help to build Burma's dairy herds in light of the recent China milk scare. Could the U.S. provide high quality frozen bull semen? Charge took the request on board but noted that the key to additional international assistance is a political opening in Burma. Bio notes -------------- ¶4. (C) Brigadier General Maung Maung Thein used an interpreter during his conversation with Charge, though he appears to understand spoken English reasonably well. His father and older brother were killed by Burmese communists when the BG was one year old. His family then moved to the outer edges of Rangoon. He entered the Army after school, became an infantry officer, and received several wounds in combat against ethnic insurgents. He said he still has shrapnel in his leg. As a Major, around 1988, he worked with U.S. officials in counter-narcotics efforts in Burma. Asked his plans for the regime's planned 2010 elections, he said he will take off his uniform and run for office. Regardless of the outcome, he said he will not return to the Ministry for Livestock and Fisheries, believing he has served long enough in that role. Note: our understanding is that Maung Maung Thein has been an unusually able minister, willing to cooperate collegially with donors to meet important goals. DINGER