GUIDANCE: BUILDING BLOCKS FOR USE POST CONVICTION

UNCLAS STATE 083335

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE: BUILDING BLOCKS FOR USE POST CONVICTION
OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI


1. (U) This is an action request. USUN may draw from the
following building blocks during August 11 consultations
regarding the conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi or during any
subsequent open debate on that subject as appropriate.


2. (SBU) Begin building blocks:

Mr. President, we are saddened and disturbed by the
conviction and sentencing of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to a
further 18 months of house arrest on spurious charges of
violating the terms of her house arrest. This profound
miscarriage of justice, compounded by her continued detention
alongside roughly 2,100 other political prisoners in Burma,
raises troubling questions as to the ultimate intentions of
the Burmese regime toward the international community, as
well as toward the Burmese people, with respect to a future
transition to genuine democracy.

While challenges to human rights and good governance are
manifold, Aung San Suu Kyi's exoneration and unconditional
release would have provided an indication of the Burmese
government's sincere desire for reintegration into the
international community, and a meaningful step toward genuine
national reconciliation, a prerequisite for credible national
elections. Instead, the conviction and continued detention
of Aung San Suu Kyi is a significant setback and further
evidence of the regime's stubborn resistance to positive
change. We note, however, that there is still a way out -
Burmese authorities can still choose to free her. We urge
Burma's senior generals to reverse the destructive path they
are currently on and choose instead national reconciliation
by freeing her unconditionally.

It is further troubling that the legal efforts against Aung
San Suu Kyi occurred in clear opposition to the international
community's sentiment, as expressed in the Council's
unanimous statement of 11 October 2007, a statement
reiterated on both 2 May 2008 and 22 May 2009, emphasizing
"the importance of the early release of all political
prisoners and remaining detainees," as well as "genuine
dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi."

The Burmese government's failure to pursue the Secretary
General's recommendations was another missed opportunity. As
U.S. government officials conveyed directly to Burmese
representatives in Phuket, Thailand, on the margins of the
ASEAN Regional Forum, the door remains open for engagement
and progress, but for how much longer depends on the actions
of the regime.

Mr. President, this Council recognizes that the future of
Burma should rightfully rest in the hands of its people.
Putting Burma on the path towards progress is a challenge
that will require the exertions of not just one person, but
the collective efforts of the country, working together
towards that common goal, with the support of Burma's
neighbors and the international community. We call on the
Burmese government to move onto this path - the path of
justice, national reconciliation, and responsible
participation in the international community. A credible
first step would be the exoneration and unconditional release
of Aung San Suu Kyi from detention and beginning with her --
along with other democratic opposition and ethnic minority
leaders -- a long-sought, meaningful dialogue.

The United States reiterates its appreciation for the
Secretary General's personal efforts and his good-offices
mission. We remain committed to supporting the people of
Burma. We will continue to work with the Council and others
in the international community to encourage Burma's generals
to heed the Secretary General's and the Council's
recommendations and hope that others in the international
community - particularly Burma's neighbors - will work with
us in this regard.

End building blocks.
CLINTON