BURMA: INSTRUCTION TO MEET WITH SYG BAN'S OFFICE

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 031292 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2019 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM SUBJECT: BURMA: INSTRUCTION TO MEET WITH SYG BAN'S OFFICE REGARDING SYG TRAVEL REF: DICARLO/MARCIEL EMAILS OF MARCH 27 Classified By: James B. Warlick, Acting Asst. Secretary, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) USUN is requested to meet with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's staff, at the highest appropriate level, to relay U.S. views on his possible travel to Burma in conjunction with the April 12 UN-ASEAN Summit in Bangkok. USUN should draw on the points in para 2 at this meeting. ¶2. (SBU) Begin points: -- We understand that Secretary-General Ban is considering travel to Burma on or about April 10, prior to the UN-ASEAN Summit in Thailand. -- We continue to believe that any visit by the Secretary-General should be predicated on concrete, tangible progress on core concerns, including a genuine, time-bound dialogue with the democratic opposition and the release of political prisoners. The Secretary-General should receive assurances from Burmese authorities, prior to his travel, that this visit will result in clear and visible progress towards the goals that the international community, including the UN Security Council, have long outlined. -- If necessary, express to the Secretary-General the hope that he meets with the Burmese regime at the highest levels, including Senior General Than Shwe, as well as with Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD Central Executive Committee (aka "The Uncles"). End points. ¶3. (SBU) Please report back results of this meeting and any new information on the Secretary-General's or Special Adviser Gambari's travel plans. CLINTON