UNSCR 1874: UPDATE FROM MFA SECOND PERMSEC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SINGAPORE 000594


FOR ISN, EAP, IO, USUN AND T

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2029
TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC KN SN
SUBJECT: UNSCR 1874: UPDATE FROM MFA SECOND PERMSEC
BILAHARI KAUSIKAN

REF: A) SINGAPORE 586 B) STATE 64133

Classified By: CDA Daniel Shields for Reasons 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) Singapore MFA Second Permanent Secretary Bilahari
Kausikan told CDA on June 24 that, at China's suggestion,
Chinese and ASEAN officials discussed the U.S. demarche
(reftels) regarding North Korea and UNSCR 1874, in the course
of the 15th China-ASEAN Senior Officials Consultations held
in Nanjing beginning June 24. The thrust of the discussion
was that Thailand will inform the USG that ASEAN will comply
with UNSCR 1874. There was no clear decision about an ASEAN
statement. Some were puzzled over why an ASEAN statement
would be required, given that every UNSC resolution is
binding, Kausikan said. CDA noted to Kausikan that it seems
strange that anyone would be puzzled by the idea of an ASEAN
statement supporting UNSCR 1874, given how common it is for
international groupings to issue statements expressing
support for UNSC resolutions.


2. (C) Kausikan said the Burmese Senior Official in Nanjing,
Thaung Tun, said Burma will fully comply with UNSCR 1874 and
has no difficulty in doing so. A senior Burmese diplomat at
the UN made a similar statement to Singapore officials.
Singapore officials asked Thaung Tun if Burma would issue a
statement confirming that this is the Burmese position.
Thaung Tun said he would report the idea to his capital,
Kausikan stated.

Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm

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