STATE OF PLAY ON UN BURMA STATEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000762

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM
SUBJECT: STATE OF PLAY ON UN BURMA STATEMENT

Classified By: Ambassador Rice for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) This is an action request, see paragraph 4.


2. (SBU) In Security Council consultations on August 11, most
Council members broadly condemned the conviction and
sentencing of Aung Sun Suu Kyi (ASSK). A clear majority
supported the P-3 drafted statement introduced by the U.S.,
with the exception of China, Russia, Vietnam and Libya, who
said they would need to send the draft to capitals for
guidance. Chinese DPR Liu added that China was opposed to
any statement by the Council and refused to engage further in
discussions on it. Recognizing a deadlock, UK PR Sawers, in
his role as Council President, proposed reconvening the
Council tomorrow (August 12) after further bilateral
consultations, allowing those member states who lacked
guidance to receive instruction from capitals.


3. (C) After consultations, P-3 Ambassadors met briefly to
discuss next steps. The Ambassadors agreed that capitals
should be asked to demarche both Beijing and Moscow at the
highest appropriate level and urge them to support the
statement. UK PR Sawers, in his role as Council President,
and the U.S. will meet with the Chinese tomorrow morning
(August 12) to determine whether there is agreement.
Depending on China's response, there will be a follow-on P-5
meeting to discuss next steps. French DPR LaCroix indicated
that if no agreement on a statement could be obtained, France
will call for an open meeting of the Council before the end
of the week, most likely Thursday, August 13. PR Sawers said
that he will reconvene the Council in consultations tomorrow
afternoon.


4. (C) Action request: USUN requests that the Department
instruct our embassies in Moscow and Beijing to demarche host
governments on August 12 at the highest appropriate level to
press for agreement to the draft statement (full text below).


5. (SBU) Full text of the draft statement:

"The Security Council condemns the conviction and sentencing
of Daw Aung Sun Suu Kyi and expresses grave concern about the
political impact this action has on the situation in Myanmar.

"The Security Council calls on the Government of Myanmar to
release Daw Aung Sun Suu Kyi, and all other political
prisoners.

"The Security Council reaffirms, in this context, its
statements of 11 October 2007, 2 May 2008 and 22 May 2009,
and underlines the need for the Government of Myanmar to
establish the conditions and create an atmosphere conducive
to an inclusive and credible political and electoral process
with full participation of all political actors, including
Daw Aung Sun Suu Kyi. The Security Council supports the
personal involvement of the Secretary-General to achieve this
goal.

"The members of the Security Council affirm their commitment
to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar and,
in that context, reiterate that the future of Myanmar lies in
the hands of all its people and that all those who have a
contribution to make to the future of their country must be
free to be able to do so.

"The Security Council remains seized of the matter."
RICE