GUIDANCE: P3 MEETING WITH SPECIAL ENVOY IBRAHIM

UNCLAS STATE 061061

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC BM
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE: P3 MEETING WITH SPECIAL ENVOY IBRAHIM
GAMBARI, JUNE 12


1. (U) This is an action request. Department requests USUN
deploy the para 6 talking points during the June 12 P3
meeting with UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari.


2. (SBU) Background: Department understands that SYG Ban has
been offered July 3-4 to visit Burma and that Special Envoy
Ibrahim Gambari could advance Ban's visit in the week prior.
It is likely that Ban and/or Gambari will convene a Group of
Friends meeting soon in order to seek guidance from the Group
on this prospective visit. Gambari has already requested a
P3 meeting as well.


3. It looks unlikely that the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi
(ASSK) will be completed by the time of Ban's visit. The
defense is appealing the decision to bar the testimony of two
of ASSK's four witnesses; that appeal to the Supreme Court
could take weeks. Following the conclusion of the appeal,
the trial itself will resume with closing arguments and
ultimately a verdict, likely a conviction.


4. The issue of a SYG Ban trip to Burma has arisen multiple
times over the past year. In the past, in coordination with
the P3, the United States has stated that we did not oppose a
SYG Ban visit to Burma, as long as he had assurances of
concrete progress on the part of the Burmese regime in
advance of any trip. The ongoing trial of ASSK, however,
makes this a particularly problematic time for the SYG to
visit. Given that his visit will likely take place before a
verdict is issued, the success of his trip will likely be
judged on whether he is able to secure the release of Aung
San Suu Kyi, even if this is not his primary goal. We are
concerned that his trip would be portrayed as a failure in
that event.


5. Given these circumstances, we should suggest to the SYG
that it would be best if he delay making the decision on
whether to travel to Burma until the conclusion of ASSK's
trial. The points below are for use in the planned P-3
consultations with Special Envoy Gambari on this issue.


6. (SBU) Begin talking points:

-- We are concerned about the proposed timing of a SYG Ban
visit, given the ongoing trial of Aung San Suu Kyi.

-- Rightly or wrongly, the success of a SYG Ban visit before
the conclusion of the trial will likely be judged on whether
he is able to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Traveling at this time may also mean that her imprisonment
will overshadow and possibly eclipse the wider agenda of
discussion.

-- Given the Burmese government's actions to date, we believe
it highly unlikely that the authorities would release her
during Ban's visit.

-- Our primary concern is for the continued credibility of
the SYG on Burma. We believe that a visit at this juncture
could place his credibility at risk. Accordingly, we suggest
the SYG postpone making a decision about his visit until
after the conclusion of Aung San Suu Kyi's trial.

End talking points.
CLINTON