RUSSIA RESPONDS POSITIVELY TO BURMA POLICY REVIEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 002496 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MLS LAURA SCHEIBE NSC FOR DESMOND WALTON E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV BM RS SUBJECT: RUSSIA RESPONDS POSITIVELY TO BURMA POLICY REVIEW REF: STATE 100518 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Susan M. Elliott for reason s: 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel points and non-paper to MFA Asia-Pacific Region Division Chief Anatoly Borovik on September 30. Borovik said that Russia appreciated the conclusions of the Burma policy review and that USG plans for engagement were a "positive step." Inquiring about the nature of future dialog with Burmese authorities, Borovik suggested that discussions would need to be at a sufficiently high level to achieve results and urged close consultation with the international community, adding that it would likely be a "long road" to reaching that goal. ¶2. (C) Given the MFA's view that the Burmese regime was beginning to take steps to address some of the country's problems, Borovik said that Russia wanted to support such reforms and "motivate" the regime to continue with them. Acknowledging Russia's support for the "universal principals" of human rights and democratic development in Burma, Borovik cautioned that expectations must be realistic given the situation in the country. He added that Russia wished first and foremost to maintain security and prevent armed conflict in the region, and that the Burmese regime had "held the country together" despite what he described as complex ethnic divisions and serious internal threats. ¶3. (C) Borovik noted Burma could offer attractive economic opportunities should the country "rejoin the world community." He said that Burma's population of nearly 60 million, along with its energy resources and ample possibilities for tourism development, make it a promising market in the future. (Note: Russia signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Burma in 2007 and hopes to one day build a nuclear power plant there. By most accounts, however, progress has been slow to nonexistent as Burma has yet to provide adequate security and financial assurances. End Note). Rubin