Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RANGOON392
2009-06-26 04:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
ANOTHER UNSC 1874 DEMARCHE; BURMA REITERATES
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C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000392
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: ANOTHER UNSC 1874 DEMARCHE; BURMA REITERATES
INTENT TO COOPERATE
REF: A. STATE 64133
B. RANGOON 387
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
Burma Says It Will Respect UNSC Res. 1984 re North Korea
--------------------------------------------- -----------
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000392
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: ANOTHER UNSC 1874 DEMARCHE; BURMA REITERATES
INTENT TO COOPERATE
REF: A. STATE 64133
B. RANGOON 387
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
Burma Says It Will Respect UNSC Res. 1984 re North Korea
-------------- --------------
1. (C) The Burmese Government must respect UNSC
resolutions, knows what it must do regarding Res. 1874, and
intends to cooperate with the international community,
including the United States, on this issue, according to
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General (DG) for
International Organizations, U Thant Kyaw. Foreign Minister
Nyan Win, who reportedly is about to undertake an overseas
trip, designated the IO DG to receive the Charge's demarche
on ASEAN-related aspects of 1874 (Ref A). By the time that
news arrived, the Rangoon DCM had conveyed the points to a
MOFA DDG for Political Affairs on June 25 (Ref B).
No Information about the Ship; Mention of Singapore
-------------- --------------
2. (C) In Charge's conversation on June 26, the DG began by
emphasizing that the GOB has "no information" about the North
Korean ship that has been subject of media attention. The
GOB is studying the matter and notes from media reports that
the ship is still far from Burma, "not even to Singapore
yet." The GOB asked the DPRK Ambassador about the matter,
and he reported he has "no information regarding this ship."
The DG said the GOB expects the ship would need to refuel,
perhaps in Singapore, if it were on the way to Burma. The DG
stressed his government is well aware that it "must respect"
UNSC resolutions. Thus, the GOB is "working on it. We know
what we have to do. We know how we must respond."
GOB Says Will Be a Responsible ASEAN Member
--------------
3. (C) Charge emphasized the demarche themes on the
importance of ASEAN governments behaving transparently
regarding relationships with the DPRK and on the usefulness
of ASEAN issuing a statement to confirm readiness to enforce
Res. 1874. The DG suggested the ASEAN Chair (Thailand)
should be the one to start consideration of any statement.
If the Chair starts, Burma "will respond accordingly." As a
"responsible member of ASEAN," Burma "will do what we must
do." The Charge noted that issues related to Res. 1874 are
likely to be in play for a considerable while, and he urged
the GOB to keep the USG and UN informed of any Burma-related
developments. The DG said his government will gladly work
with the USG and others in that regard. He concluded by
reiterating that the GOB is "puzzled" about how it has become
a target of the media reports. He said again that his
government has "no information, including from the DPRK,"
about the suspect ship.
Comment
--------------
4. (C) Burmese authorities continue to assure us they
intend to behave responsibly in helping implement Res. 1874.
Given the recent history of Burma-DPRK collaborations, we
will be pleasantly surprised if the GOB follows through over
the long haul. For now, though, regarding the current North
Korean ship transit, it appears there is willingness to
cooperate. Whether that is an indicator about this
particular ship's cargo is an interesting question which we
leave to those who must judge "reasonable grounds to
believe...."
DINGER
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: ANOTHER UNSC 1874 DEMARCHE; BURMA REITERATES
INTENT TO COOPERATE
REF: A. STATE 64133
B. RANGOON 387
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
Burma Says It Will Respect UNSC Res. 1984 re North Korea
-------------- --------------
1. (C) The Burmese Government must respect UNSC
resolutions, knows what it must do regarding Res. 1874, and
intends to cooperate with the international community,
including the United States, on this issue, according to
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General (DG) for
International Organizations, U Thant Kyaw. Foreign Minister
Nyan Win, who reportedly is about to undertake an overseas
trip, designated the IO DG to receive the Charge's demarche
on ASEAN-related aspects of 1874 (Ref A). By the time that
news arrived, the Rangoon DCM had conveyed the points to a
MOFA DDG for Political Affairs on June 25 (Ref B).
No Information about the Ship; Mention of Singapore
-------------- --------------
2. (C) In Charge's conversation on June 26, the DG began by
emphasizing that the GOB has "no information" about the North
Korean ship that has been subject of media attention. The
GOB is studying the matter and notes from media reports that
the ship is still far from Burma, "not even to Singapore
yet." The GOB asked the DPRK Ambassador about the matter,
and he reported he has "no information regarding this ship."
The DG said the GOB expects the ship would need to refuel,
perhaps in Singapore, if it were on the way to Burma. The DG
stressed his government is well aware that it "must respect"
UNSC resolutions. Thus, the GOB is "working on it. We know
what we have to do. We know how we must respond."
GOB Says Will Be a Responsible ASEAN Member
--------------
3. (C) Charge emphasized the demarche themes on the
importance of ASEAN governments behaving transparently
regarding relationships with the DPRK and on the usefulness
of ASEAN issuing a statement to confirm readiness to enforce
Res. 1874. The DG suggested the ASEAN Chair (Thailand)
should be the one to start consideration of any statement.
If the Chair starts, Burma "will respond accordingly." As a
"responsible member of ASEAN," Burma "will do what we must
do." The Charge noted that issues related to Res. 1874 are
likely to be in play for a considerable while, and he urged
the GOB to keep the USG and UN informed of any Burma-related
developments. The DG said his government will gladly work
with the USG and others in that regard. He concluded by
reiterating that the GOB is "puzzled" about how it has become
a target of the media reports. He said again that his
government has "no information, including from the DPRK,"
about the suspect ship.
Comment
--------------
4. (C) Burmese authorities continue to assure us they
intend to behave responsibly in helping implement Res. 1874.
Given the recent history of Burma-DPRK collaborations, we
will be pleasantly surprised if the GOB follows through over
the long haul. For now, though, regarding the current North
Korean ship transit, it appears there is willingness to
cooperate. Whether that is an indicator about this
particular ship's cargo is an interesting question which we
leave to those who must judge "reasonable grounds to
believe...."
DINGER