Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08VIENTIANE265
2008-05-05 10:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vientiane
Cable title:  

DEMARCHE TO LAOS: BURMA REFERENDUM

Tags:  PREL PGOV LA BM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5195
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHVN #0265 1261013
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 051013Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2003
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENTIANE 000265 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV LA BM
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO LAOS: BURMA REFERENDUM

REF: STATE 45471

Classified By: Ambassador Ravic Huso. Reasons: 1.4 b and d.

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENTIANE 000265

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV LA BM
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO LAOS: BURMA REFERENDUM

REF: STATE 45471

Classified By: Ambassador Ravic Huso. Reasons: 1.4 b and d.


1. (C) Summary: In response to delivery of Reftel
demarche, a MFA official said that the GOL sees the
referendum process in Burma as an internal affair, adding
that the GOL hopes that the referendum and new constitution
are successful. Asked whether the GOL has encouraged a more
transparent process, the official said that the GOL has urged
the Burmese government to deliver on its commitments to the
UN and to follow the example of other countries, such as
Thailand. The official said that he and colleagues in other
ASEAN countries are "very proud" that the U.S. has recognized
ASEAN through the appointment of Ambassador Marciel. End
summary.


2. (SBU) The DCM delivered Reftel demarche to Ministry of
Foreign Affairs Deputy Director General for Asia Pacific and
Africa Voroth Soundara May 2. She also provided him with a
copy of the President's statement and executive order
regarding additional sanctions on the Burmese regime. In
delivering the demarche points, she emphasized the importance
of avoiding positive public statements about the referendum
process.


3. (SBU) Mr. Voroth said that, while he understood U.S.
concerns, the GOL plans to wait and see what happens during
the referendum vote and after before making its own
assessment. He said that the Lao government would like to
get opinions from other ASEAN countries about the situation.
The GOL has also been getting information from its embassy in
Rangoon and from visiting delegations of Burmese officials.
The Lao government, Mr. Voroth said, believes that the
Burmese government is trying to follow up on what it promised
to UNSYG Special Advisor Gambari. He said he hopes the
referendum will pass and the new constitution will be
approved. When the DCM reiterated USG concerns about the
credibility of the referendum process, Mr. Voroth said that
the GOL sees this as an internal affair of the Burmese
government.


4. (C) The DCM asked Mr. Voroth about discussions between
GOL and Burmese officials during recent bilateral meetings,
including the April 10-16 visit by Burmese Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs Kyaw Thu. Mr. Voroth said that this had been
primarily a private visit, arranged so that the Burmese DPM
could observe the celebration of the traditional Lao New
Year, which the Burmese also celebrate. However, in this and
other exchanges, Lao officials have encouraged their Burmese
counterparts to follow international standards and to deliver
on their promises to the international community. They have
encouraged the Burmese to learn from the example of other
countries, such as Thailand. He noted that it is up to the
Burmese government to decide whether to listen to advice from
Laos and other ASEAN countries.


5. (U) The DCM told Mr. Voroth that the Senate had approved
the nomination of Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asia
and the Pacific Scot Marciel as the first U.S. Ambassador to
ASEAN. Mr. Voroth said that he had discussed Ambassador
Marciel's appointment with a number of representatives from
other ASEAN countries. All were "very proud" that the U.S.
had acted so quickly to recognize ASEAN through Ambassador
Marciel's appointment.


6. (C) Comment: Discussions with Lao officials on Burma
inevitably lead to the recitation of the ASEAN "no
interference" mantra. However, their frustration at the
situation in Burma is apparent. They clearly see this issue
as undermining ASEAN's credibility and its efforts in other
areas. However, there is no prospect of the Lao government
making a public statement opposing the referendum. End
comment.
HUSO