BURMA: ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATIONS FEELING THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000705 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, INR/EAP, PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2019 TAGS: BM EAID ECON PGOV PINR PREL SUBJECT: BURMA: ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATIONS FEELING THE PRE-ELECTION SQUEEZE RANGOON 00000705 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Economic Officer Marc Porter for Reasons 1.4 (b and d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) The Government of Burma (GOB) is exerting increasing pressure on INGOs and international organizations through the visa process and operational restrictions, according to our contacts. Several INGO heads and at least one senior UN official are now living on expired visas the GOB has failed to renew. Another senior UN official left last month after the GOB declined her visa-renewal request. Observers perceive that the regime is trying to prepare for the 2010 election by returning the expatriate presence in Burma to pre-Cyclone Nargis levels. End summary. Scarce Visas Becoming Scarcer -------------- ¶2. (C) NGO contacts in Rangoon are encountering obstacles to their continued work in Burma. Several senior expatriate INGO representatives told us this week they are in country on expired visas. The GOB has not yet renewed the visas hld by CARE International,s country director (an ustralian), PACT,s deputy country director (an ACit),and Save the Children,s country director ( Canada/South Africa dual citizen). In each case, the organizations applied for renewals two-three months prior to scheduled expiration, per GOB requirements. ¶3. (C) There is no indication the GOB will act to expel the overstays, though a fine may be levied upon departure; but the officials and their family members dare not depart Burma fr official or personal travel for fear of being denied re-entry. The spouse (Bangladeshi citizen) of PACT,s deputy country director recently found himself unable to return to Burma because his spouse,s visa has expired. ¶4. (C) One contributing factor to the visa squeeze may be that the Foreign Affairs Policy Council (FAPC) reportedly has not met in October. This cabinet-level body headed by Secretary 1 Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, which usually meets weekly, must approve all business and diplomatic visa applications. According to some embassy contacts, the FAPC has not met this month because individual members are out &campaigning8 ahead of the 2010 elections. The Walls Have Ears, No NGO Talk on "Vacation" -------------- - 
¶5. (C) Most INGOs try to adhere to a policy of entering and working on an appropriate visa. However, the lengthy process of obtaining a work visa leads some NGOs to utilize tourist visas, especially for short-term visitors. PACT recently 'dis-invited' us to a dinner with visiting PACT senior management after receiving a "warning" passed through the NGO community that the GOB was fed up with visitors on tourist visas participating in NGO meetings. The NGOs presume hotel staffs have been reporting what happens in conference rooms and around dinner tables, and the GOB apparently is no longer willing to tolerate "tourists" doing assistance work. Setting Back the Clock -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Rumor has it the GOB has decided NGO staffing will be mainly limited to Burmese nationals from April 2010, at least until after the elections. NGOs with long-standing memoranda of understanding (MOUs) that predate Nargis with ministries other than the Ministry of Social Welfare (MSW) reportedly will be granted exceptions. This would allow NGOs like PACT, CARE, and Save the Children to continue operations with expatriate staff, but would exclude International Rescue RANGOON 00000705 002.2 OF 002 Committee (IRC),Merlin, Mercy Corps, Relief International and others. We expect to receive details of any new restrictions after the October 22 Inter-Agency Standing Committee (UN/NGO coordination body) meeting. A Contrary Indicator -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The possible contraction of the NGO community runs counter to expectations of at least one NGO. The GOB recently asked IRC to consider expansion of its programs from the Irrawaddy Delta to sites in Chin State and Shan State, according to information shared with us October 16 by George Rupp, IRC's President and CEO. UN Not Immune -------------- ¶8. (C) The GOB has declined to renew visas for at least two senior UN officials, including a World Health Organization (WHO) epidemiologist working on influenza control and the UNDP country representative. While we are unaware of the GOB's motivations in the WHO case, diplomatic contacts tell us that the GOB believes the UNDP official's position is no longer needed. Prior to the cyclone, the UN Resident Coordinator wore several hats, including as UNDP country representative and Humanitarian Coordinator. The GOB decision appears to be consistent with earlier proclamations that the Nargis emergency is over and donor operations should return to pre-May 2008 status. Ministry of Social Welfare Moving To NPT -------------- ¶9. (SBU) NGOs learned October 21 that the MSW will move its Rangoon personnel to Nay Pyi Taw on October 22. After Nargis, MSW numbers in Rangoon swelled to coordinate relief operations. Most NGOs which initiated operations in the wake of Nargis have MOUs with MSW. The Ministry,s consolidation in NPT will complicate accessibility. Comment -------------- ¶10. (C) The GOB seems of mixed minds. It has articulated an interest in greater engagement with the U.S. It is indicating willingness to accept continued post-Nargis assistance. The Tripartite Core Group (TCG) Chair recently endorsed the upcoming Post-Nargis Reconstruction Conference, scheduled for November 25. Some elements of the regime, as evidenced by the invitation to IRC, may even want to initiate new projects outside the Delta. However, others, very likely the Planning Minister and the senior generals, prefer a smaller foreign presence, particularly in the lead-up to the 2010 elections. The Minister of Social Welfare frankly informed the UN ResRep a few months ago that the regime does not want foreigners wandering around the Delta in the election period. DINGER