SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS BURMA PRST

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000397

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM
SUBJECT: SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS BURMA PRST



1. (SBU) Summary: The Security Council adopted a
Presidential Statement (PRST) May 2, in advance of Burma's
upcoming constitutional referendum, calling on the regime to
permit the participation of all political actors and
demonstrate respect for fundamental political freedoms. This
action followed a month of intensive USUN bilateral
engagement with Chinese PermRep Wang and Special Advisor
Gambari in order to win Chinese backing. Shortly after the
adoption of the PRST, Burmese PermRep Swe circulated a letter
to the Security Council "greatly regretting the course of
action taken" and complaining that "powerful members" of the
Security Council had pressured the others. End Summary.


2. (SBU) In a May 2 meeting of the Security Council,
following earlier prepatory work by Ambassador Khalilzad with
Chinese PR Wang, Ambassador Wolff called for immediate
adoption of the revised text of a PRST on the political
process in Burma. He emphasized that the referendum was only
days away and the Council must adopt the text immediately to
have any impact. He explained that the text was the result
of extensive consultations and comprised key elements drawn
from the Council's previous statements, as well as the
Burmese statement to the Council promising a "free and fair"
referendum.


3. (SBU) Chinese PR Wang said that the Chinese, despite
principled opposition to the Council dealing with Myanmar,
were willing to consider the adoption of a brief,
constructive PRST for the sake of Council unity, but argued
the current draft was too explicit. Wang also reiterated
China's longstanding position that the matter is not a threat
to international peace and security, the good offices mission
was established according to a General Assembly mandate, and
there have been positive developments in Burma since the
Council's October statement. Indonesian PR Natalegawa
stressed the importance of a "collective" Council view and
echoed the Chinese call for a constructive text that would
have a positive impact on Burma. France and Belgium offered
supportive statements for the text of the PRST. The Italian
PermRep, in a misfired attempt to be helpful, supported the
Chinese request for modifications.


4. (SBU) The President of the Security Council, UK PR Sawers,
suspended consultations in order to facilitate further
negotiation of the PRST text among PermReps. In the closed
negotiations that followed, Ambassador Wolff resisted
attempts by the Chinese, Indonesian, and Vietnamese to remove
references to "full participation of all political actors"
and "fundamental political freedoms" from the text. He
convinced the group that it was not enough to allow the
Burmese to determine what was "free and fair," particularly
in light of continued arrests, detention and intimidation in
the lead up to the referendum. He reminded the Council that
silence would be seen as retreating from statements the
Council had already made.


5. (SBU) After additional negotiations, the Council agreed on
a compromise text (see para 6),which "underlines the need
for the Government of Myanmar to establish the conditions and
create an atmosphere conducive to an inclusive and credible
process, including the full participation of all political
actors and respect for fundamental political freedoms."
Ambassador Wolff also secured reaffirmation in the text to
the Council's 15 November press statement, which addresses
Aung Sun Suu Kyi's situation and role.


6. (SBU) Begin Myanmar PRST text:

The Security Council reaffirms its statements of 11 October
and 15 November 2007 and all the expectations expressed in
those statements.

The Security Council takes note of the announcement by the
Government of Myanmar of a referendum on a draft constitution
in May 2008 and elections in 2010. It further notes the
commitment by the Government of Myanmar to ensure that the
referendum process will be free and fair. The Security
Council underlines the need for the Government of Myanmar to
establish the conditions and create an atmosphere conducive
to an inclusive and credible process, including the full
participation of all political actors and respect for
fundamental political freedoms.

The Security Council reaffirms its unwavering support for the
Secretary-General's good offices mission and expresses its

SIPDIS
appreciation for the work of his Special Adviser, Ibrahim
Gambari. The Security Council encourages the Government of
Myanmar and all parties concerned to cooperate fully with the
United Nations.

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The Security Council welcomes the important role that the
ASEAN countries continue to play in supporting the United
Nation's good offices mission.

The Security Council affirms its commitment to the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar and, in that
context, reiterates that the future of Myanmar lies in the
hands of all of its people.

The Security Council remains seized of the matter.

End Myanmar PRST text.
Khalilzad