CAMBODIA AGREES TO PRESS FOR DIALOGUE IN BURMA;

C O N F I D E N T I A L PHNOM PENH 000890 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR P, EAP, EAP/MLS - L SCHEIBE, EAP/RSP DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR IO/HR, DRL/IRF NSC FOR D WALTON E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2019 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM KIRF BM CB SUBJECT: CAMBODIA AGREES TO PRESS FOR DIALOGUE IN BURMA; LEANS TO SUPPORT UNGA DEFAMATION OF RELIGIONS RESOLUTION REF: A. STATE 122639 ¶B. STATE 121789 Classified By: DCM Theodore Allegra, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador demarched the RGC on the need for the Government of Burma (GOB) to engage Burma's democratic opposition and to move forward with democratic reform and out of isolation. RGC officials agreed that the 2010 elections indeed represented an "open door" for Burma and were amenable to raising the issue with their GOB and ASEAN counterparts. Ambassador also raised USG concern regarding the "Defamation of Religions" resolution at the UNGA. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador discussed Ref A message regarding the need for dialogue in Burma with MFA Secretary of State Ouch Borith, on December 3. Ambassador briefed Ouch Borith on A/S Campbell and DAS Marciel's early November visit to Burma and highlighted their key objective of pressing the GOB to engage democratic opposition -- including Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) and the National League for Democracy (NLD). The Ambassador focused on Burma's need for dialogue, particularly in advance of the planned 2010 elections. She noted that these elections represented an opportunity for Burma to move forward with democratic reform and out of isolation, but that Burma would need help from friends like Cambodia to do so. The Ambassador explained that a good first step would be for the GOB to allow meetings between ASSK and NLD leadership -- particularly members of the NLD's Central Executive Committee (CEC). The Ambassador emphasized that another bad election would not help Burma in any way and pressed the MFA to actively engage the GOB on this issue. ¶3. (C) Ouch Borith agreed that Burma's planned 2010 elections were a good opportunity for the GOB to demonstrate an "open door" for democratic reform and, moreover, agreed that it was a good time to push forward with an engagement policy. Noting Cambodia's experience and past challenges with elections and national reconciliation, he expressed his belief, and that of Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, that open and legitimate elections were indeed in the best interests of the people of Burma. He recalled multiple attempts by ASSK to meet with the GOB and had no answer for why GOB leadership would not respond to her overtures. Ouch Borith said that he would raise this issue of engagement with ASEAN ambassadors to Burma at the first opportunity. ¶4. (C) Comment: We are encouraged by the consistent Cambodian position on Burma and the enthusiasm with which Ouch Borith responded to the Ambassador's demarche. Prime Minister Hun Sen has repeatedly stated that Cambodia could play a constructive role with Burma in the ASEAN context and to make representations to the Burmese leadership on behalf of all ASEAN members. With the Prime Minister's imprimatur, both Hor Namhong and Ouch Borith seem ready and willing to deliver these messages as often as necessary. UNGA Resolution on "Defamation of Religions" -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Ambassador also raised USG concern regarding the "Defamation of Religions" Resolution at the UN General Assembly (Ref B). The Ambassador highlighted Cambodia's record of religious tolerance, and urged the RGC to consider voting against the "Defamation of Religions" resolution, or at least to abstain. Ouch Borith acknowledged and thanked the Ambassador for her remarks, but expressed Cambodia's solidarity with the ASEAN position on this issue. Nonetheless, Ouch Borith promised to look deeper into the issue and study the U.S. position. RODLEY