BURMESE EXILES PETITION FOR MILITARY INTERVENTION

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000541 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID MOPS PREL PHUM BM SN SUBJECT: BURMESE EXILES PETITION FOR MILITARY INTERVENTION REF: SINGAPORE 509 ¶1. (SBU) Four representatives of a Burmese exile group calling itself the Overseas Burmese Patriots (OBP) presented post with a petition May 12 calling on the United States to "immediately enter Burma" to deliver humanitarian relief "regardless of the lack of permission from the military junta." In a brief meeting with Econ/Pol Chief, OBP representatives stressed that the regime lacked both the resources and the will to provide necessary relief, and that further delay would result in a greater loss of life. They claimed the regime was ignoring altogether the needs of an ethnic Karen group in the Irrawaddy Delta, which they likened to ethnic cleansing. Econ/Pol Chief accepted the petition, expressed sympathy with the Burmese people, and provided assurances that the USG understands the urgency of expanding the relief effort and is doing everything possible to persuade the regime of the need for full international access. ¶2. (SBU) Post first became aware of OBP when the group emerged to organize opposition to Burma's constitutional referendum (reftel). The group contacted us May 12 to request a meeting shortly before arriving at the embassy. Accompanied by three camera crews and one freelance journalist working for AP, the group delivered the same petition and message earlier in the day to the British High Commission and were seeking a meeting with the Australian High Commission. ¶3. (SBU) The envelope containing the petition was addressed to President Bush. However, an enclosed letter covering the signature list was addressed to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and called on the Australian Navy intervene in Burma, presumably the result of a clerical error. Post will forward the packet to EAP/MLS via pouch. Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm SHIELDS