Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USUNNEWYORK36
2009-01-22 00:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
USUN New York
Cable title:  

GAMBARI BRIEFS AMBASSADOR DICARLO ON BURMA

Tags:  PHUM PREL UNSC BM 
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ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 220041Z JAN 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5664
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 3495
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)

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