BURMA: CIVIL SOCIETY INVOLVEMENT IN THE TIMBER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 RANGOON 000361 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, INR/EAP, EEB/TFS, OES BANGKOK FOR REO OFFICE PACOM FOR FPA TREASURY FOR OASIA, OFAC E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/16/2019 TAGS: ECON SENV PREL PGOV ETRD PINR BM SUBJECT: BURMA: CIVIL SOCIETY INVOLVEMENT IN THE TIMBER SECTOR REF: 08 RANGOON 706 RANGOON 00000361 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: Economic Officer Samantha A. Carl-Yoder for Reasons 1.4 (b and d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) In response to the reporting requirements of the JADE Act, this cable provides background on the current and potential future role of civil society in monitoring Burma's timber industry. ¶2. (C) There are a limited number of civil society organizations in Burma that focus on environmental issues, and most seek to address local grass-roots issues rather than advocate on broader environmental concerns. These nascent groups often have no access to timber harvest areas and lack the capacity to monitor the unlawful and corrupt practices in Burma's timber trade. A meaningful role for domestic civil society groups in reporting on regime-dominated extractive industries would require a willingness on their part to take on that function -- and the associated risk -- as well as considerable capacity building. Given sufficient policy priority and resources, USG training programs inside and outside the country could make a difference, particularly when fostering improved networks among domestic and border-based groups. While USG programming can provide civil society with the tools to monitor and report on Burma's extractive industries, access to restricted areas and the regime's hostility to any scrutiny of its activities will remain major challenges. End Summary. Nascent Environmental Organizations -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Although they continue to face GOB restrictions and impediments, civil society organizations are steadily increasing their capacity to address some of Burma's social and economic problems. Embassy Rangoon has identified approximately 20 such organizations that address environmental issues, including community forestry, awareness raising, and fisheries development; there are likely others of which we are not aware. Most of these Burmese organizations approach environmental conservation from a community-based perspective: while there are a few large NGOs that operate in several regions, supported by international donor funding, most environmental groups are small, locally based, and focused on the immediate concerns facing their communities. Like the majority of Burmese civil society groups, these environmental organizations often provide services in the absence of any governmental assistance. Most of the groups lack a clear understanding of global environmental concerns, such as deforestation or climate change, although select individuals are well-versed on the issues. Few of these associations advocate for broad-based environmental issues; only one has the capacity to conduct monitoring, evaluation, and analysis on a larger scale. Limited Capacity to Monitor the Timber Trade -------------- RANGOON 00000361 002.2 OF 003 ¶4. (SBU) Currently, none of the existing organizations have either the capacity or scope to monitor illicit trade and corruption in Burma's timber sector. As one NGO leader told us, "It is not about protecting the forests but about helping the people living in and depending upon the forests." Additionally, these organizations do not have access to areas where teak and other valuable hardwoods are harvested. The Burmese Government tolerates the work that environmental organizations do insomuch as it does not threaten regime interests. Work in community forestry development or fisheries conservation is sufficiently benign to avoid much regime scrutiny. Attempting to monitor the environmental, social, economic, and political implications of the extractive industries would likely place local organizations at risk. ¶5. (SBU) Post is aware of several organizations along the China and Thai borders that attempt to monitor Burma's timber trade. (Note: while there are no official figures, Reftel reports that illegal exports of timber to China and Thailand are estimated to total approximately 80 percent of legal timber exports.) Several groups have worked with international organizations such as Global Witness to document illegalities and corruption in the timber industry. While these groups are often unable to ascertain exactly what occurs deep in Burma's forests, they may be able to extend their networks into restricted Burmese territory to a greater extent than local Burmese groups that are located in other parts of the country. Strategies for Strengthening Capacity -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Any meaningful effort by Burmese civil society groups to monitor and report on the timber industry would require a shift in their focus from basic service provision to information gathering and advocacy, as well as considerable training and capacity building. This would require a significant investment of resources by the United States or other donors (which would have to be prioritized against other donor policy objectives),as well as some risk to the organizations. Embassy Rangoon has identified several possible means to assist both local civil society and groups along the border in developing the skills necessary to identify, monitor, evaluate, and report on the trade in timber and other extractive industries. We note that any new initiatives involving the Embassy, in the absence of additional funding and staff, would require a shift away from existing and planned initiatives. -- The USG could host workshops, bringing NGOs and community-based organizations together to learn about targeted environmental issues. The Embassy could bring in speakers through its public diplomacy program to hold workshops on relatively benign topics in country, and could assist individuals with travel to neighboring countries for training on more sensitive topics. -- Additional training could focus on specific monitoring, evaluation, and reporting techniques. These programs should engage civil society actors in a dialogue on how to work with RANGOON 00000361 003.2 OF 003 groups both inside and along the border to obtain information. -- The USG could also work with implementing partners along the border to conduct media awareness for the general population of specific environmental issues. Partners could produce radio programs about environmental issues that could be broadcast into Burma. -- The USG could host international seminars that bring together civil society groups working in or along Burma's border in China, Thailand, and India to discuss the transnational implications of deforestation, corruption in the timber trade, and other environmental issues. Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) Assuming civil society interest, policy priority, and sufficient resources, the USG would be able, over time, to help build the skills necessary to report on developments in the timber and other extractive industries. However, USG programs will not be able to resolve the issue of access. Teak and hardwood forests are often heavily guarded by the military and Ministry of Forestry rangers. Thus, we could not ensure that domestic groups with skills could gain access to affected areas. Groups working along Burma's border in China, Thailand, and India may be better positioned to monitor the outflow of timber and other products, particularly if they can cooperate with Burmese civil society groups. It bears repeating, however, that any domestic group monitoring and reporting on regime activity in sensitive extractive sectors risks government scrutiny and possible retribution. DINGER