GAMBARI BRIEFS AMBASSADOR DICARLO ON BURMA

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000036 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2019 TAGS: PHUM PREL UNSC BM SUBJECT: GAMBARI BRIEFS AMBASSADOR DICARLO ON BURMA Classified By: Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) In a 20 January meeting, Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari told Ambassador DiCarlo that Secretary-General Ban is considering travel to Burma after the ASEAN Summit. Gambari said he is being sent to Burma 31 January - 3 February to "get everybody's bottom line and to see what, if anything, is possible." He plans to depart for Burma January 27 or 28. Though he does not have a program for his visit -- he does not generally get the program in advance -- he said the good offices mission conveyed to the Burmese what it would like to accomplish and will proceed "with faith." According to Gambari, if the conditions are right, SYG Ban will visit Burma after the ASEAN Summit. When asked to elaborate on conditions, Gambari responded that Ban is convinced he can get something, but remarked he (Gambari) is unsure what that is. Gambari could not confirm whether he will see Aung Sun Suu Kyi during his visit. ¶2. (C) Gambari said he would tell the Russians and the Chinese they can no longer hide behind the good offices mission and asked for U.S. assistance in reminding the "usual suspects" (China, India and Russia) his visit must yield concrete results. In an effort to move beyond carrots and sticks, Gambari noted, the UN is considering elevating the importance of the humanitarian situation as well as reconstruction and recovery efforts in order to broaden the dialogue and deepen access to the regime. He emphasized this did not mean diminishing the importance of the political track, notably the release of political prisoners and inclusive dialogue. When asked how the United States could be helpful, Gambari sought suggestions on bridging the gap among Council members and Friends and also asked Ambassador DiCarlo to consider what, if anything, the United States could offer as incentives if the regime shows progress. Regarding a Council meeting, Gambari suggested the Council meet after he returned from Burma. ¶3. (C) Ambassador DiCarlo cautioned Gambari that the political track is our priority. She noted that it would be difficult for the United States to consider economic incentives without significant progress on the political front, particularly with our extensive bilateral sanctions. She assured Gambari that we continue to press China, India and Russia on the issue. ¶4. (SBU) In closed consultations on January 21, the French proposed and the Council agreed to hold closed consultations on Burma with Gambari after his return from travel in the region, which will likely be mid-February. Wolff