BURMA: EXTENSIVE OFFICIAL COVERAGE OF GAMBARI VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000068 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/03/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM SUBJECT: BURMA: EXTENSIVE OFFICIAL COVERAGE OF GAMBARI VISIT REF: A. RANGOON 62 ¶B. RANGOON 63 Classified By: Pol Officer Sean O'Neill for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) Burmese state media carried extensive coverage of UNSYG Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari's January 31 - February 3 meetings with GOB officials. The coverage described Gambari as "an intimate friend of Myanmar" and reported his requests that the regime release political prisoners, engage in dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi, and extend the Tripartite Core Group (TCG). According to press reports, Burmese Ministers described their views of significant progress along the road map towards democracy, but did not appear to provide Gambari with substantive information as to the timing or nature of the 2010 elections. Prime Minister Thein Sein, who met Gambari February 3, reportedly called on Gambari and the UN to lift sanctions and restrictions on visas. End Summary. Political Prisoners -------------- ¶2. (U) The February 4 Burmese and English language editions of the regime-mouthpiece daily New Light of Myanmar newspaper devoted nearly five full pages of coverage to UNSYG Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari's meetings with GOB officials. State-run TV also included extensive coverage of the visit. Media coverage acknowledged that Gambari urged the GOB to release more political prisoners, engage in dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi, and extend the TCG. Unfortunately, the articles provided little detail on how Prime Minister Thein Sein and members of the "Spokes-Authoritative Team" responded to Gambari's requests on political prisoners and the TCG, other than citing the PM's comments that the GOB would carry out these tasks "as much as it could." The New Light of Myanmar quoted Information Minister Kyaw Hsan of the Spokes-Authoritative Team as telling Gambari that convicted prisoners could appeal their sentences in accordance with the law, but did not go further. Dialogue with ASSK -------------- ¶3. (U) According to the press, the Spokes-Authoritative Team was more blunt when it came to Aung San Suu Kyi, accusing her of having rejected several GOB overtures at dialogue. Minister Kyaw San was reported to have reminded Gambari that in October 2007, the regime publicly invited ASSK to meet with Than Shwe if she would give up "her policy of Confrontation, Utter Devastation, and Imposing All Kinds of Sanctions (sic)." The Minister lamented that she has yet to respond. He also reported that, since Gambari's last visit in August, ASSK refused two more offers to engage in dialogue. A television news broadcast reiterated these points just hours after Gambari's departure on February 3. Elections -------------- ¶4. (U) On the elections, the Spokes-Authoritative Team praised what it characterized as Burma's progress towards democracy. Prime Minister Thein Sein reportedly told Gambari that the GOB would emphasize the "desire of the majority who approved the constitution," but that those who opposed the constitution will still have "political doors" open when the party registration law is announced. Minister Kyaw San avowed that the intent is a democratic election that meets international standards. The New Light of Myanmar quoted the PM as saying that Gambari will "realize that the government is implementing the best way for the country according to prevailing conditions (sic)." None of the officials cited in the press provided any information on the timing of the election law or vote itself, saying only that the regime has been taking "all necessary measures" regarding the timing and organization of the vote and will reveal details at "an RANGOON 00000068 002 OF 002 appropriate time." Sanctions/visas -------------- ¶5. (U) The PM reportedly called on Gambari and the UN to lift sanctions and restrictions on visas. He claimed that sanctions have "damaged human rights and hindered the GOB's efforts to build a democratic nation." According to news reports, the PM went on to compare the effect of sanctions to "a person who is forced to run quickly while his legs are tied together." The coverage did not mention whether Gambari responded. Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) The coverage of Gambari's visit in the official media was extensive and included what seem to be relatively detailed transcripts of his meetings with both the PM and the Spokes-Authoritative Ministers. Throughout the extensive coverage in the New Light of Myanmar, as in TV and other reports, the regime's message is clear: Burma is making progress and should be recognized for it. The mention of Gambari's discussion of political prisoners, Aung San Suu Kyi, and the elections is notable, as is the suggestion that the regime has tried twice in recent months to commence a dialogue with ASSK, only to be rebuffed. We will seek more clarity about that, including what sorts of conditions were attached to any offer made. ¶7. (C) It would be useful to hear further details of Gambari's version of the conversations. As reported Ref A, he suggested to the Charge that he was hearing some hints of possible flexibility from the regime. He and the Charge agreed, however, that "the proof of a pudding is in the eating;" and nothing is actually on the table yet. End Comment. DINGER