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RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 8240

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 002185 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PREL ASEAN UNSC BM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR WOLFF'S MEETING WITH UN U/SYG GAMBARI 
REGARDING HIS NOVEMBER 10-12 VISIT TO BURMA 
 
¶1.  (U) SUMMARY:  Ambassador Wolff met with UN U/SYG Gambari 
to discuss the latter's visit to Burma November 10-12th. 
Viewing his first trip earlier this year as an initial 
confidence building visit, Gambari believes his second visit 
was an important next step, as he was able to meet again with 
Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) and the NLD, deliver "strong 
messages" to the regime, and engage at length in serious 
discussions concerning the release of political prisoners, 
the need for an inclusive political process, guidelines for 
humanitarian access, the cessation of hostilities in the 
Karen state, forced labor issues, and millennium development 
goals.  Ambassador Wolff reiterated that the success of 
Gambari's efforts would be measured by results, not access. 
He urged that Gambari be frank about the unresponsive nature 
of the Burmese regime in his brief to the Council in order to 
pave the way for a resolution on the matter.  Gambari 
conceded there has been no progress since his first visit, 
and said he is not opposed to a Security Council resolution, 
depending upon the content.  Gambari wants to preserve the 
role of the SYG's good offices mission as a process that 
delivers results.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (U) U/SYG Gambari stated that his visit accomplished three 
important objectives.  First, Gambari had access to the 
senior Burmese leadership, ASSK, and other representatives of 
the NLD.  Secondly, he conveyed "strong messages" concerning 
the release of political prisoners, the need for an inclusive 
political process, guidelines for humanitarian access, a 
cessation of hostilities in the Karen state, compliance with 
ILO requests concerning forced labor, and millennium 
development goals.  Third, Gambari wanted to preserve the 
role of the SYG's good offices mandate. 
 
¶3. (U) Gambari viewed his first visit as a courtesy call and 
confidence building initiative, and believed the second visit 
was one of serious engagement with the Burmese regime. 
Gambari stated that he provided the Burmese with a letter 
from the SYG detailing his concerns, and engaged in long 
discussions with the Burmese senior leadership.  The Burmese 
told Gambari they were willing to release ASSK provided she 
would write a letter promising not to disrupt the National 
Convention process and act within the law.  Gambari conveyed 
this message to ASSK, who said she would not reject outright 
writing a letter, but needed to first consult with her party. 
 Gambari said he emphasized to the junta that the Security 
Council was watching, and that they needed to take concrete 
steps toward results. 
 
¶4. (U) Ambassador Wolff conveyed Washington's interest in the 
details about his visit, but expressed the U.S. belief that 
the true measure of a successful visit is in achieving clear 
results.  Noting the extension of ASSK's detention after his 
first visit, Ambassador Wolff emphasized the situation in 
Burma has not improved, but deteriorated.  He also raised 
U.S. concerns that the Burmese were using the good offices 
mandate to delay reform measures, and that the regime does 
not intend to open the political process to all parties. 
Ambassador Wolff stated that the U.S would be moving forward 
on an appropriate Security Council resolution.  He reiterated 
the issue is a U.S priority, and the lack of progress in 
Burma will be raised during all high-level meetings with the 
Chinese.  Ambassador Wolff emphasized the extreme importance 
of Gambari giving the Council a frank and realistic 
assessment of the regimes failure to respond to requests for 
reform in order to pave the way toward a resolution. 
 
¶5. (U) Gambari conceded there has been no progress since his 
first visit, but thinks there is a serious internal debate 
between hard-liners and reformers within the Burmese regime. 
Gambari advised he is not opposed to a Security Council 
resolution, depending upon the content.  He believes a strong 
message from a united Council would be helpful in supporting 
the good offices role, and noted that both the regime and 
ASSK both hope the good offices visit will continue.  Gambari 
said these visits should be more regular, and feels every 
three months would be valuable.  Ambassador Wolff cautioned 
that the Burmese regime was taking advantage of the good 
 
USUN NEW Y 00002185  002 OF 002 
 
 
offices mandate to avoid concrete steps.  Without clear 
improvement in the situation in Burma, further visits should 
be avoided for the foreseeable future. 
 
BOLTON