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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 RANGOON 001762 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/27/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI SNAR BM
SUBJECT: THE GOB'S LONG-WINDED DEFENSE AGAINST UNSC ACTION 
 
Classified By: Econoff TLManlowe for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: the GOB called a last-minute press conference 
in Nay Pyi Taw on November 29 to try to refute UNSC 
discussion of the regional threat Burma poses through the 
spread of refugees, diseases and narcotics to neighboring 
states.  Two Cabinet Ministers, joined by a Deputy Minister 
and the Police Chief, presented government-created statistics 
they claimed showed the great progress Burma has made in 
health, education, science, technology, prison management, 
and in fighting trafficking in persons, illegal drugs, and 
money laundering.  While little was offered that had not 
already appeared regularly in regime-controlled media, the 
press conference showed the GOB intends to fight a propaganda 
war to counter US efforts to pursue a UNSC resolution on 
Burma.  During the press conference, the police chief claimed 
the regime's closing of ICRC's five branch offices in Burma 
was only temporary, and said there had been no decision yet 
on the fate of the five detained leaders of the 88 Generation 
Students.  End summary. 
 
¶2.  (U) On November 29, with only twenty-four hours' notice, 
the GOB summoned diplomats, the heads of international 
organizations, and Rangoon-based journalists to the 
administrative capital of Nay Pyi Taw for a press conference 
at the Ministry of Health.  The Ministers of Health and 
Education, the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology and 
the Chief of Police disputed reports critical of Burma and 
tried to refute point-by-point the September U.S. 
presentation to the UN Security Council on how the actions of 
Burma's ruling regime poses a threat to the region as well as 
its own people.  For about three hours, the GOB officials 
read through long lists of GOB activities that purported to 
show progress in health, education, science and technology, 
prison management, combating trafficking in persons, and 
stopping the flow of illicit drugs and money laundering. 
 
¶3.  (U) The scheduling of the press conference was 
last-minute and confused.  MFA officials made frantic calls 
to most embassies and IOs the night before, and hastily added 
a charter flight to the new capital when it became clear that 
the scheduled flights to Nay Pyi Taw were fully booked before 
the conference was announced.  Fewer than twenty diplomats 
attended, along with UN and INGO reps, Burmese civil 
servants, and the press.  Many of them were left stranded in 
Nay Pyi Taw for two extra hours after the press conference 
when Senior General Than Shwe's wife commandeered the charter 
aircraft, so another had to be summoned. 
 
¶4. (U) The presenters repeatedly stated their intention to 
refute claims made by a "powerful Western nation" that Burma 
presented a threat to regional stability and should be 
brought before the UN Security Council.  For over three 
hours, the Ministers of Health, Education, the Deputy 
Minister of Science and Technology, and the Chief of Police 
described GOB programs and accomplishments in their fields, 
at times quoting from the U.S. International Narcotics 
Control Strategy Report and a 2003 INL report to make their 
case. 
 
Health 
------ 
¶5. (U) Health Minster Dr. Kyaw Myint opened the conference by 
stating that some countries claim Burma is a threat to the 
region, but that, as a doctor, he would present the "real 
situation" of the cross-border disease threat.  He outlined 
GOB activities to fight HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, polio, 
leprosy, and avian influenza, and described Burma's recent 
increases in life expectancy (to 61.5 years for men, 64 for 
women), new health facilities, and added medical personnel. 
He blamed the termination of the Global Fund in 2005 on 
allegations from "internal and external destructive 
elements." 
 
Education 
--------- 
¶6. (U) Chan Nyein, Minster of Education, announced he would 
present Burma's "real progress in making every effort to 
 
RANGOON 00001762  002 OF 003 
 
 
bring education to every citizen."  He cited numerous 
educational initiatives, including the widely unpopular 
decision to disperse universities from major cities into 
rural areas.  The Minister came under fire during the 
question and answer session, when Burmese journalists asked 
pointed questions about the timing of national exams and 
inquired when Burma's education would reach international 
standards.  To the latter, he curtly replied that the GOB was 
working towards international standards, and called charges 
of educational deterioration "pure fabrication." 
 
Science and Technology 
---------------------- 
¶7. (U) Deputy Minister of Science and Technology U Kyaw Soe 
outlined his Ministry's objectives to strengthen economic and 
human resource development, enhance production, conduct more 
analysis and standardization, and pursue applied research on 
the utilization of atomic energy.  He described his 
ministry's results in teacher training, raising the technical 
education level, purchasing of scientific equipment, and 
completing research projects.  He did not elaborate on the 
GOB's research into nuclear energy. 
 
Law Enforcement 
--------------- 
¶8. (U) The Chief of Police, General Khin Yi, took issue with 
the recent U.S. Presidential Determination on Burma's lack of 
compliance in fighting drugs, and defended Burma's 
counter-narcotics efforts by citing heavily from UNODC's 
latest report, which noted a reduction in hectares under 
opium poppy cultivation, and the US Counter Narcotic and 
Crime report, which noted a decrease in heroin production in 
¶2004.   He neglected to mention that UNODC also reported 
increased yilds, thus no significant net change in the value 
of opium produced.  On corruption, Khin Yi cited a 2003 INL 
report that listed actions taken against various low-level 
military and police personnel for corruption, commenting, "it 
is surprising to encounter allegations that diverge from the 
findings of INL."  He added that U/SYG Gambari praised 
Burma's efforts to eliminate narcotics during his May 2006 
visit. 
 
¶9. (U) Khin Yi also described Burma's efforts domestically, 
bilaterally, and regionally to fight trafficking in persons 
and complained that the U.S. had given Burma an undeserved 
Tier 3 ranking.  He said that U.S. sanctions deterred Burma's 
efforts to modernize and develop its economy, and caused 
70,000 Burmese garment workers to lose their jobs, making 
them more vulnerable to human trafficking. 
 
¶10. (U) Khin Yi claimed that false reports of prisoner abuse 
and poor prison conditions were spread by the Assistance 
Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) and the Democratic 
Voice of Burma (DVB).  Khin Yi called them "shameless 
allegations," and outlined recent changes in prison 
management, including greater freedom of religion, more 
opportunities to exercise, improved medical treatment, 
vocational training programs, and added education. 
 
Hard Questions 
-------------- 
¶11. (U) Following the formal presentation, journalists 
pressed the Police Chief on the fate of Min Ko Naing and 
other detained 88 Generation Student leaders.  Khin Yi said 
the five had been remanded for "state security reasons," and 
said that the GOB would take action based on the evidence 
against them.  He said the government would notify 
journalists when it decided to take action. 
 
¶12. (U) In response to repeated questions about the GOB 
ordering the ICRC to close its five field offices in Burma, 
Khin Yi would only say that the GOB plans to change the rules 
for all international organizations operating in Burma.  When 
pressed, he said the GOB only ordered the ICRC offices to be 
closed temporarily, while the government "re-focuses."  He 
also stressed that the ICRC was still allowed to visit 
prisons in Burma, but because it had refused to follow 
government rules and regulations regarding prison visits, 
 
RANGOON 00001762  003 OF 003 
 
 
they no longer took place. 
 
¶13. (U) When asked about Burma's lack of cooperation with the 
ILO, Khin Yi said that the GOB was operating within its 
domestic laws and regulations, and referred journalists to 
the Minister of Labor.  He repeated the claim that Burma has 
no political prisoners, and said that authorities had only 
arrested people who violated Burmese rules and regulations 
who also happened to be members of political parties. 
 
Reaction 
-------- 
¶14. (C) Many attending the press conference, including UN 
representatives, said afterwards that the information 
presented was not new, and that the facts and figures were 
not credible.  The French DCM told emboff that, while there 
are still many reasons to bring Burma to the UNSC, he felt 
that the GOB's ability to counter some claims that it poses a 
regional threat may weaken the U.S. effort.  He believes the 
UN should focus instead on issues of governance, such as 
human rights violations and political prisoners, rather than 
trying to build a case for a regional threat based on 
disease, drugs, and refugees.  "Even Burma's neighbors don't 
support this position," he said.  Other diplomats who 
attended told emboffs that the entire exercise was a waste of 
time, and the GOB's case convinced no one who was not already 
inclined to be persuaded. 
 
¶15. (SBU) Comment: The regime's performance at this 
dog-and-pony show made it clear that they are monitoring the 
UN debate closely and scrutinize U.S. reports on conditions 
in Burma thoroughly.  But who believes them?  No one living 
here gives any credence to the GOB claims since they know 
that the new schools lack textbooks and hospitals lack 
medicines.  Instead they must struggle with the deteriorating 
economy, increasing disease and drug addiction, and crumbling 
infrastructure.  Even the media in Burma is unwilling to play 
the regime's game now.  We were pleased to note several 
Burmese journalists raised questions on sensitive subjects at 
this event and showed no fear in confronting officials with 
the obvious contradictions.  End comment. 
VILLAROSA