BURMA MFA OFFICIAL ON ENGAGEMENT, VISITS, AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000099 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, PACOM FOR FPA, JAKARTA PLEASE PASS EAP DAS MARCIEL E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR OREP OFDP ODIP PINR SNAR BM SUBJECT: BURMA MFA OFFICIAL ON ENGAGEMENT, VISITS, AND LEVEL OF REPRESENTATION WITH U.S. REF: A. IIR 6 812 0119 08 ¶B. IIR 6 812 0018 09 ¶C. RANGOON 30 ¶D. IIR 6 812 0045 09 ¶E. RANGOON 42 (NOTAL) ¶F. RANGOON 44 (NOTAL) Classified By: CDA Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) The Government of Burma (GOB) has provided another signal that it wishes to engage with the Obama Administration, perhaps with a two-track, military and civilian approach. During a dinner the Charge hosted for MFA Americas Director Yin Yin Oo, she suggested initial topics for engagement could include anti-narcotics cooperation and recovery of U.S. remains from WWII. Asked about human-rights as a topic, Yin Yin Oo was visibly uncomfortable. When Yin Yin Oo asked if Senator Kerry might wish to visit Burma, Charge mentioned possible interest by Senator Webb also, and noted that visit requests from the Hill in the past have stumbled over regime unwillingness to permit access to Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK). Yin Yin Oo reiterated the GOB's interest in replacing its current military Charge in Washington with a civilian Ambassador. In comment, we note repeated recent signals of GOB interest in engaging with the USG, and speculate that the reason is likely a desire to achieve international "respect" rather than a willingness to unclench fists. Still, the only way to clearly establish motive is to test it. We seek Washington guidance for responding to Yin Yin Oo's several inquiries. End summary. Burma regime again signals desire to engage USG -------------- - ¶2. (C) During dinner with the Charge on February 14, Burma MFA Americas Director Yin Yin Oo, speaking under instruction, reconfirmed that the Burma regime wants to engage in dialogue with the USG. (See Refs A-C for previous recent approaches.) Yin Yin Oo referred to Charge's meeting with LtGen. Ye Myint, head of Military Intelligence (Ref C),and suggested the possibility of two engagement tracks: military and civilian, with perhaps a beginning on the military side at the colonel level. She noted that Ye Myint might want to lead a delegation to the U.S. at some point during such talks. (Note: Per Refs C and D, LtGen. Ye Myint has recently made clear his interest in visiting the U.S.) The Charge noted previous expressions of GOB interest and said Embassy Rangoon has not yet received the Obama Administration's views. Themes: mutual understanding, drugs, WWII remains; not human rights -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Asked the GOB motivation, YYO said: "to develop mutual understanding." She suggested topics could include "DEA-type issues" to strengthen cooperation in combating drugs, and/or the USG's interest in recovering WWII remains. (See Ref A re an initial unsatisfactory regime response on the remains issue, and Ref C for further discussion.) When Charge suggested that the U.S. side would likely want to include human rights and democracy themes, including the release of political prisoners, in any engagement, YYO visibly squirmed. Visitors from the Hill? The ASSK factor -------------- ¶4. (C) YYO asked if Senator Kerry might want to visit Burma. Charge recalled that when Senator Kerry sought to visit a few years ago and insisted on a meeting with ASSK, the visit didn't come off. Charge reiterated his view that the GOB should let in all who seek to come. Perspectives, already extremely skeptical, will not become darker; and an "on scene" look is beneficial. Charge mentioned Senator Webb as also reportedly interested in visiting, and stressed that any congressional visitor is likely to see a need to meet with ASSK. Yin Yin Oo asked if a meeting with other political parties might suffice. Charge speculated, "No." Yin Yin Oo asked if putting an ASSK meeting at the end of a visit, after government meetings, might be acceptable. Charge said that might work, though it would be the visitor's perspective that counts. Amb or Charge for Burmese Embassy in Washington? -------------- - ¶5. (C) Yin Yin Oo raised the issue of the level of GOB representation in Washington, reiterating the regime's desire to upgrade the chief of mission from Charge to Ambassador (see Refs. E and F). The Charge noted he had passed the inquiry to the State Department and had not yet received a formal response. Per informal guidance, Charge made clear that the title of a chief of mission from Burma is not a key element for that person's access or effectiveness in Washington. If the GOB wants to replace the current military Charge with a civilian Charge, that would be fine. Yin Yin Oo responded that, as is true of many Asian governments, the GOB cares about formalities. She asked if it would be helpful for the GOB to send a formal request for agrement for a new COM with the "ambassador" title. Charge said he would seek guidance. Bio data -------------- ¶6. (C) While Yin Yin Oo serves as Director of the Americas Division in Burma's MFA, she also seems to be the primary POC for other key "western" embassies, the UK and Australia. She is the younger sister of U Kyaw Thu, chair of the post-Cyclone Nargis Tripartite Core Group, who was until recently a Deputy Foreign Minister and now is the ministerial-level head of the civil service. Yin Yin Oo also appears to have good military-intelligence connections, including at the top with LtGen. Ye Myint. Yin Yin Oo's husband is a Director in MFA dealing with visa issues. Comment and request for guidance -------------- ¶7. (C) Yin Yin Oo's inquiries about engagement, congressional visits, and upgrading the diplomatic title in Washington, were all under instruction and are yet another signal that the regime wants a visibly improved relationship with the Obama Administration. One has the impression, though, that the GOB aim is symbolic rather than substantive. The generals chafe at being seen as international pariahs. They want respect. Whether, in the words of President Obama, they are willing to unclench their fists in order to deserve a measure of respect is yet to be seen. The regime's behavior to date raises serious doubts. Still, the only way clearly to establish the motives is to test them. We seek Washington guidance for responding to Yin Yin Oo's inquiries. DINGER