BURMA -- NEW CHARGES AGAINST AUNG SAN SUU KYI

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 000850 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2019 TAGS: PREL KDEM ID BM SUBJECT: BURMA -- NEW CHARGES AGAINST AUNG SAN SUU KYI REF: A. EAP/MTS EMAIL MAY 14 2009 ¶B. JAKARTA 813 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Acting Pol External Unit Chief Matthew A. Cenzer, reasons 1.4 (b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Using Ref A points, Mission underscored U.S. concern regarding new charges against Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) to GOI and ASEAN Secretariat officials. The regime's latest move deepened Burma's international isolation and hurt ASEAN. Our contacts are following the matter but neither Indonesia nor ASEAN has yet reached a decision regarding a statement or other steps. ASEAN SecGen Surin would welcome discussing the matter with the Secretary should she wish to call him. END SUMMARY. UNDERSCORING USG CONCERN ¶2. (C) Poloff underscored U.S. concern regarding the Burmese regime's new charges against Aung San Suu Kyi to Dewi Tobing, acting Deputy Director for American Affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) and to officials in DEPLU's directorate of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Using Ref A points, poloff noted USG concern about ASSK's health and safety and highlighted the damage this latest action do to the prospects for reform in Burma. The regime's actions would likely hurt ASEAN and deepen Burma's international isolation. Poloff urged Indonesia to consider issuing a statement on the matter and to press for an ASEAN statement. Indonesia should also consider raising the matter privately with the Burmese government. GOI FOLLOWING THE MATTER ¶3. (C) DEPLU contacts took our points on board and said that Indonesian officials were following ASSK's situation closely. The GOI has not yet decided whether it will issue a statement and remains in discussions with other member states about a possible ASEAN statement. Indonesian officials were also considering what bilateral steps they might take. Our contacts promised that Indonesian officials would consider USG views as they discussed next steps. ¶4. (C) Poloff also raised the matter with Astari Daenuwy, an international affairs advisor to President Yudhoyono (SBY). She said SBY was following the matter and remained concerned about the situation in Burma. Daenuwy promised to raise the possibility of a statement with Presidential spokesman and advisor Dino Djalal. (Note: The President's team is likely focused heavily on domestic issues at the moment as SBY is expected to name his vice presidential running mate as early as today.) ASEAN SECRETARIAT: A SERIOUS PROBLEM ¶5. (C) The ASEAN Secretariat regarded the situation as a "serious problem" according to Sayakane Siniouvong, Deputy Secretary General for the ASEAN Political-Security Community. Siniouvong said that SecGen Surin, who is currently traveling in the United States, was deeply concerned by the regime's latest move against ASSK. SecGen Surin was consulting with ASEAN foreign ministers on the matter but the organization has not yet reached a consensus re issuing a statement. Siniouvong promised to relay USG views to Surin and other senior ASEAN officials. SecGen Surin looked forward to discussing the matter with the Secretary should she telephone him. HUME