PRC: MAUNG AYE TOLD TO "ADVANCE DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT;" AUNG SAN SUU KYI NOT DISCUSSED

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001777 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/9/209 AGS PREL, PHUM, PGOV, ETRD, ENRG, CH, BM SUBJECT: PRC: MAUNG AYE TOLD TO "ADVANCE DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT;" AUNG SAN SUU KYI NOT DISCUSSED Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Ben Moeling. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) SPDC Vice-Chairman Maung Aye did not discuss Aung San Suu Kyi with senior Chinese leadership during his June 15-20 visit to China, according to an MFA contact, focusing instead on strengthening bilateral ties. The Chinese urged Burma to advance its "domestic democratic development" and increase communication with the international community. According to the MFA, Burma expressed willingness to host UNSYG Ban Ki-moon in July. The two sides affirmed agreements addressing hydrocarbon pipeline projects and a framework for hydropower projects. End Summary. ¶2. (C) In a June 26 briefing to PolOff and diplomats from the EU, Czech Republic, and Singapore, MFA Asian Affairs Department Burma Division Deputy Director Chen Chen stated that the purpose of Vice Senior General and Vice Chairman of Burma's State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Maung Aye's June 15-20 visit to Beijing was to strengthen Sino-Burmese relations and increase "cooperative development." Deputy Director Chen denied that Maung Aye's visit was hastily arranged in response to the ongoing international attention to the trial of democratic opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, saying it was a one in a series of regular bilateral visits. Maung Aye's visit included stops in Xi'an, Hangzhou, and Nanning. Seven-Step Roadmap Still On Course -------------- ¶3. (C) Deputy Director Chen said that during meetings with PRC Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice President Xi Jinping, Maung Aye reported that Burma was "advancing the democratic process" through its implementation of the regime's seven-step roadmap to democracy. Maung Aye said that Burma would be able to hold elections in 2010 after which power would be transferred to civilian authorities, Chen reported. UNSYG Ban Ki-moon Welcome in July -------------- ¶4. (C) Chinese leaders expressed "a willingness to continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation," according to Chen, and the Chinese side also hoped Burma could "advance the domestic democratic process" and strengthen its "communication with the international community," including through cooperation with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the good offices mission of UN Special Advisor on Burma Ibrahim Gambari. Asked about specifics of a possible UNSYG visit, Chen offered that the Burmese side was ready to host Ban in July. ASSK Not On the Agenda -------------- ¶5. (C) Asked whether the two sides discussed Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK),Deputy Director Chen reported that ASSK was not raised by either side during the visit, though he added that Chinese leaders reiterated their hope that all relevant parties in Burma could realize reconciliation through dialogue. Chen underscored that though China viewed ASSK as one of the "relevant parties" in Burma, China did not feel it appropriate to comment on her on-going trial as it was an internal matter for Burma, nor did China view current tensions related to the trial of ASSK as a threat to regional peace and security. Pipeline Agreement -------------- ¶6. (C) Deputy Director Chen said that Burma and China initialed two agreements during the visit, one addressing pipeline projects and a second "framework" agreement for hydropower projects. Chen said these agreements would improve the lives of the Burmese people and were preferable to sanctions "that hurt people more than they help." While Chen was unable to cast any light on how the pipeline and hydropower framework agreements signed during this visit differed from those reportedly signed during the March visit to Burma of Politburo member Li Changchun, he did note that media reports suggesting a September start-up for pipeline construction had been overly optimistic and speculated that the work on the pipelines would likely begin "within a year." BEIJING 00001777 002 OF 002 He added that when completed the pipelines would provide oil and natural gas to Yunnan province and its immediate neighbors but would not supply resources further inland. GOLDBERG