BURMESE GOVERNMENT REQUEST TO UPGRADE COM IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000044 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2019 TAGS: OFDP ODIP PREL BM SUBJECT: BURMESE GOVERNMENT REQUEST TO UPGRADE COM IN WASHINGTON -- TAKE TWO REF: RANGOON 42 Classified By: Charge D'Affaires Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) Burma wants dialogue in Washington; seeks qualified Ambassador -------------- -- ¶1. (C) The Director General for Political Affairs, Burmese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U Kyaw Tin, approached the Charge at a reception Jan. 22 in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of former UNSYG U Thant. The DG conveyed a message from the Foreign Minister very similar to that provided the embassy the day before by another MFA DG (reftel). U Kyaw Tin said the Government of Burma (GOB) wants to send a civilian to Washington as "ambassador." The Foreign Minister believes he has treated the Charge here "like an ambassador," even inviting the Charge at some recent events to sit at the head table. The GOB sees a need to engage in dialogue with the new U.S. Administration in Washington; however, the incumbent Burmese Charge d'Affaires, a military officer, "is not capable" of taking on a dialogue role. The GOB believes Washington's past unwillingness to process an agrement request for a military officer to be Ambassador to the U.S. was because of the nominee's "military" background. The GOB had a similar problem some time ago with Australia. In that case, the GOB discussed the issue, agreed to send a qualified civilian instead, and Australia granted agrement. The GOB now hopes informal discussion with the USG can result in an understanding that a qualified civilian nominee would receive USG agrement to hold the title of "ambassador," not "charge d'affaires." ¶2. (C) The Charge replied that he understood the message and would pass the request to Washington for consideration. The Charge noted that USG concerns about the political and human rights situation in Burma may have played a role in Washington's not acting on the previous agrement request. The Charge referred to President Obama's inaugural comment that the U.S. is prepared to extend an open hand if an authoritarian government is prepared to unclench its fist, suggesting that signals of genuine reform on democracy and human rights issues would be helpful as the new Administration considers any possibility of dialogue with the Burma regime. Comment and action request -------------- ¶3. (C) We have seen no evidence that Burma's senior generals wish to unclench their fists in meaningful ways. While the regime plans elections in 2010, the senior generals intend to control the process. Still, we have indications, including this latest feeler, that some senior generals are interested in engagement with Washington. With the Burmese regime, one is unlikely to know what could result from dialogue until actually discussing such dialogue. If the Administration decides on direct Washington contact with the Burmese regime in pursuit of our political reform agenda, signaling a willingness to consider agrement for a qualified civilian nominee would be a possible first step. We will await guidance for a response. DINGER