P3 MEETING WITH SPECIAL ENVOY GAMBARI ON BURMA

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000594 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2019 TAGS: PREL BM UNSC SUBJECT: P3 MEETING WITH SPECIAL ENVOY GAMBARI ON BURMA REF: STATE 61061 Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROSEMARY DICARLO, FOR REASONS 1.4 B/D ¶1. (C) UN Special Advisor on Burma Ibrahim Gambari told the P3 on June 12 that the Secretary-General is "very conflicted" regarding a potential visit to Burma. The Secretary-General continues to believe that an eventual visit would be useful, although the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi has obviously complicated matters. Gambari asked for P3 views. France, the UK and the U.S. agreed with Gambari regarding the possible utility of a potential visit by the Secretary-General to Burma under the right circumstances, but all noted that a visit in the current context of the ASSK trial would send the wrong signal. ¶2. (C) UK Deputy PermRep Parham told Gambari that a visit by the Secretary-General would be a very powerful tool. However, it was not wise for the Secretary-General to go before the ASSK verdict is pronounced, nor would it be wise for him to go in the immediate aftermath. Depending on the timing of the trial, the UK still thinks it would be useful for the Secretary-General to go before the end of July. French Deputy PermRep Lacroix said France had similar views, although it was less enthusiastic than the UK regarding a potential visit to Burma by the Secretary-General. Most important for France, said Lacroix, is the release of ASSK. Ambassador DiCarlo used reftel guidance to voice U.S. concerns regarding the proposed timing of a visit by the Secretary-General, and suggested that he postpone making a decision until after the conclusion of ASSK,s trial. ¶3. (C) Gambari thanked the P3 for the views expressed, and said he would convey them to the Secretary-General. He noted that the Secretary-General might convene a meeting of the Group of Friends in New York, although he also regretted that national positions were not likely to change and a meeting would not allow for a real exchange. Gambari said his potential visit to Burma was still being considered; if he were to go, his visit would focus solely on discussing the parameters of the Secretary-General,s visit. RICE