UNSC RES. 1984 - BURMA SAYS IT WILL ENFORCE UNSC

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000387 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM SUBJECT: UNSC RES. 1984 - BURMA SAYS IT WILL ENFORCE UNSC RES. 1874; NOTIFIED DPRK NOT TO SEND ANY SUSPICIOUS CARGO REF: STATE 64133 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (C) The Government of Burma says it called in the DPRK Ambassador on June 23 to state clearly that no North Korean ship carrying prohibited cargo under UNSC Resolution 1874 should enter Burmese territorial waters, according to U Hau Do Swan, the Deputy Director General for Political Affairs, Burma MOFA. The message reportedly included a warning that, even if the DPRK states that a ship is carrying no prohibited cargo, the GOB intends to inspect. The DDG made the comments in response to reftel demarche, made by the DCM in Nay Pyi Taw on June 25, during a meeting previously scheduled for other issues. The Embassy request for a meeting with the Foreign Minister specifically to discuss reftel issues remains pending. ¶2. (C) When the DCM made reftel points and noted press articles speculating that a suspect North Korean ship may be headed to Burma, the DDG was clearly aware of the issue and the press reports. He said the GOB takes its international obligations seriously. The DDG reported that MOFA Director General for Political Affairs, U Kyaw Tin, while transiting Rangoon on Tuesday on his way to foreign travel, called in the DPRK Ambassador. The DG asked if the DPRK Ambassador could confirm a North Korean ship is coming to Burma. The Ambassador reportedly said, "No." With that the DG made the points sketched in para. 1. ¶3. (C) When asked, the DDG said he was not aware of discussions regarding a possible ASEAN statement in furtherance of UNSC Res. 1874. The DCM stressed that recent DPRK actions are a global issue and asked that the GOB keep the USG well informed of any Burma-related developments. The DDG reiterated that the GOB has no information on a suspect North Korean ship heading here. Comment -------------- ¶4. (C) The GOB response seems encouraging. Of course, this is Burma, and it is always possible that what MOFA publicly conveys may not conform to actual intentions. DINGER