Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RANGOON405
2009-06-30 08:10:00
SECRET
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
TALKING WITH JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA IN RANGOON
how-toVZCZCXRO2340 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH RUEHTRO DE RUEHGO #0405 1810810 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 300810Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9186 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2106 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 5580 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9176 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6754 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 4563 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2557 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
S E C R E T RANGOON 000405
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: TALKING WITH JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA IN RANGOON
ABOUT DPRK-BURMA RELATIONSHIP
REF: A. RANGOON 387
B. RANGOON 392
C. TOKYO 1413
D. STATE 66749
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
S E C R E T RANGOON 000405
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: TALKING WITH JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA IN RANGOON
ABOUT DPRK-BURMA RELATIONSHIP
REF: A. RANGOON 387
B. RANGOON 392
C. TOKYO 1413
D. STATE 66749
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (S) Japanese Ambassador to Burma Nogawa told Charge that
on June 29 he conveyed his Government's "serious concerns"
about DPRK proliferation to MOFA Deputy Minister Maung Myint
and urged Burma to "fully enforce" UNSC Res. 1874. Nogawa
added that Japan is willing to help Burma move toward
democracy; however, if the GOB fails to implement 1874, it is
"inevitable that bilateral relations will be substantially
affected." Maung Myint replied very much as MOFA
interlocutors responded to U.S. demarches last week (Refs A
and B): that Burma as a UN member will abide by the UNSC
resolution, so Japan needn't be concerned. Nogawa said he
briefly tried to discuss "concrete" means Burma might use to
implement 1874; however, meeting time was running short and
Maung Myint showed "no interest."
2. (S) The Charge used his June 30 meeting with Nogawa to
raise the Ref D theme about the usefulness of including a
third party, perhaps Japan, in any 1874 inspection in Burma.
Nogawa indicated he had not received any instructions from
Tokyo about that concept, though he clearly understood the
usefulness of the theme. During the Charge's meeting, the
Japanese EMBASSY received word from its own sources that the
North Korean ship, the Kang Nam 1, appears to have reversed
course, seemingly relieving any immediate pressure for a
Burmese inspection. Nonetheless, the Charge noted and Nogawa
concurred that, given the DPRK-Burma relationship, at some
point a test of 1874 inspections in Burma is likely. Between
now and then, the U.S. and Japan will need to work together
closely to ensure a productive outcome for the world's
non-proliferation goals.
3. (S) Late in the afternoon, South Korean Ambassador Park
came by on short notice to discuss the Kang Nam 1. Park
noted that the ship has turned around. He figures Senior
General Than Shwe decided pressures are too intense for the
ship to arrive Burma now, so better to put off that matter
and focus instead on resolving the Aung San Suu Kyi issue,
having a useful visit with SYG Ban, and preparing for the
2010 elections. Park was intensely curious about the Burmese
calling in of the DPRK Ambassador last week (Refs A and B).
Park, himself, has yet to discuss the Kang Nam 1 with Burmese
authorities. He asked to meet with the Deputy Minister but
has not received approval. Park noted reports that the GOB
has raised the possibility of third country assistance with
inspections. The Charge conveyed the USG interest in a
credible inspection regime being in place for Burma ports,
including the potential usefulness of third-country
participation. Park and the Charge agreed to stay in close
touch on 1874 imple
mentation.
DINGER
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: TALKING WITH JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA IN RANGOON
ABOUT DPRK-BURMA RELATIONSHIP
REF: A. RANGOON 387
B. RANGOON 392
C. TOKYO 1413
D. STATE 66749
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (S) Japanese Ambassador to Burma Nogawa told Charge that
on June 29 he conveyed his Government's "serious concerns"
about DPRK proliferation to MOFA Deputy Minister Maung Myint
and urged Burma to "fully enforce" UNSC Res. 1874. Nogawa
added that Japan is willing to help Burma move toward
democracy; however, if the GOB fails to implement 1874, it is
"inevitable that bilateral relations will be substantially
affected." Maung Myint replied very much as MOFA
interlocutors responded to U.S. demarches last week (Refs A
and B): that Burma as a UN member will abide by the UNSC
resolution, so Japan needn't be concerned. Nogawa said he
briefly tried to discuss "concrete" means Burma might use to
implement 1874; however, meeting time was running short and
Maung Myint showed "no interest."
2. (S) The Charge used his June 30 meeting with Nogawa to
raise the Ref D theme about the usefulness of including a
third party, perhaps Japan, in any 1874 inspection in Burma.
Nogawa indicated he had not received any instructions from
Tokyo about that concept, though he clearly understood the
usefulness of the theme. During the Charge's meeting, the
Japanese EMBASSY received word from its own sources that the
North Korean ship, the Kang Nam 1, appears to have reversed
course, seemingly relieving any immediate pressure for a
Burmese inspection. Nonetheless, the Charge noted and Nogawa
concurred that, given the DPRK-Burma relationship, at some
point a test of 1874 inspections in Burma is likely. Between
now and then, the U.S. and Japan will need to work together
closely to ensure a productive outcome for the world's
non-proliferation goals.
3. (S) Late in the afternoon, South Korean Ambassador Park
came by on short notice to discuss the Kang Nam 1. Park
noted that the ship has turned around. He figures Senior
General Than Shwe decided pressures are too intense for the
ship to arrive Burma now, so better to put off that matter
and focus instead on resolving the Aung San Suu Kyi issue,
having a useful visit with SYG Ban, and preparing for the
2010 elections. Park was intensely curious about the Burmese
calling in of the DPRK Ambassador last week (Refs A and B).
Park, himself, has yet to discuss the Kang Nam 1 with Burmese
authorities. He asked to meet with the Deputy Minister but
has not received approval. Park noted reports that the GOB
has raised the possibility of third country assistance with
inspections. The Charge conveyed the USG interest in a
credible inspection regime being in place for Burma ports,
including the potential usefulness of third-country
participation. Park and the Charge agreed to stay in close
touch on 1874 imple
mentation.
DINGER