VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0058/01 0182303
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 182303Z JAN 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 3042
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000058 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM
SUBJECT: COUNCIL ADOPTS STATEMENT REGRETTING LITTLE 
PROGRESS IN BURMA 
 
REF: STATE 5085 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000058  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Summary 
-------- 
 
¶1. (SBU)   After a heated Security Council debate January 17 
on the question of whether Burma had responded to the demands 
of the international community, Council members adopted a 
press statement reiterating support for UN Special Advisor 
Gambari, including a call for his early return to Burma, 
reaffirming support for the October 11 UNSC Presidential 
Statement objectives, and regretting the "slow rate of 
progress."  Gambari delivered a forceful message to the 
Council, urging members to make concrete their rhetorical 
claims of support for the good offices mission by engaging 
"individually and collectively" with the Burmese.  He said 
that both he and the Secretary-General agreed that the 
Burmese invitation for Gambari to return in mid-April was not 
acceptable, and later repeated that point to the press. 
China reiterated its longstanding opposition to Council 
action on Burma, and insisted the seven step roadmap is the 
only realistic basis for moving Burma along the path of 
democracy.  Vietnam echoed this position, and both 
delegations called for an "oriental" solution, which they 
described as characterized by patience.  South African PR 
Kumalo aggressively questioned the purpose of the 
consultations and the value of a press statement.  Indonesia, 
along with new members of the Council (Burkina Faso, Costa 
Rica, and Croatia), joined the P-3 and other like-minded 
countries in calling for Gambari's early return to Burma, for 
progress on dialogue and national reconciliation, and for a 
unified statement of Council support.  Russia and Panama 
asserted the Council's credibility would suffer by focusing 
on Burma while remaining silent on the situation in the 
Middle East.  Highlighting the gap between the objectives set 
out in the October 11 PRST and Burmese inaction, Ambassador 
Khalilzad challenged the Council to send a signal that the 
international community is paying attention and there will be 
consequences. 
 
Gambari briefs the Council 
-------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) UN Special Advisor Gambari delivered a forceful 
briefing to the Council during consultations on January 17. 
He said that key issues had not been addressed despite 
initial indications that the Burmese authorities were willing 
to work with the UN.  Aung Sun Suu Kyi remains under house 
arrest and the Burmese have not relaxed the conditions of her 
detention.  The regime has made no effort to establish a 
meaningful, time-bound dialogue; has not taken measures to 
broaden the National Constitutional Drafting Committee; and 
has yet to respond to requests to establish a Poverty 
Alleviation Commission.  Gambari made clear that the 
Secretary-General expected him to return to Burma as soon as 
 
SIPDIS 
possible and that both agreed that the Burmese invitation for 
Gambari to return in mid-April was not acceptable.  He asked 
that rhetorical support from the Council, from ASEAN, and 
from the international community be translated into concrete 
action, such as signaling to the Burmese that frequent, 
meaningful, and substantive visits to Burma are an integral 
part of his mission.  In response to prompting by Ambassador 
Khalilzad, Gambari added that a strong statement of support 
showing Security Council unity would be helpful. 
 
United States and Like-Minded Countries 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) Ambassador Khalilzad challenged the Council, arguing 
that any "fair-minded assessment" would conclude that the 
Burmese authorities had not responded to the objectives set 
out in the UNSC October 11 Presidential Statement.  He argued 
the Council needed to signal to the Burmese that it is 
serious, including demonstrating support for Gambari, who is 
"the face of the UN" in Burma.  Gambari must return to Burma 
as soon as possible -- this month, he added -- to carry out 
his mission.  Just ignoring the situation will not be as 
effective as firm resolve.  The Burmese must understand that 
the Council is paying attention and there will be 
consequences for inaction.  UK PR Sawers and French PR Ripert 
echoed Ambassador Khalilzad's remarks.  UK PR Sawers added 
that economic initiatives are acceptable only after there is 
a clear indication of progress.  If the regime fails to takes 
additional steps, however, the Security Council will have to 
consider additional steps, Sawers said.  Ripert made a 
similar linkage.  Belgian PR Verbeke called for concrete 
results and a timeline to "make the process credible." 
Italian PR Spatafora said that the Burmese authorities needed 
to respond to the UN's requests and warned that the Council's 
attention "would not weaken." 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000058  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶4. (SBU) Indonesian PR Natalegawa said that after listening 
to Council members' positions, including China, he noted, he 
supported a Council statement of united support for Gambari 
and encourage sustained engagement by the Council in Burma. 
He commented that during the December ASEAN Summit, the 
Burmese regime committed to cooperation with the UN and its 
good offices mission.  In so doing, the regime also committed 
to UN efforts to engage in a dialogue and national 
reconciliation, he reasoned.  He said that Security Council 
efforts were "synergistic" with Gambari and the good offices 
mission and added that it was important for the Security 
Council to stay informed on Burma.  PR Natalegawa stated that 
the Council's vision was made clear in the October 11 
Presidential Statement and hoped that Burma could attain that 
vision.  New Council members Burkina Faso, Croatia, and Costa 
Rica also offered broadly supportive statements 
 
China, Vietnam Oppose 
--------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) Chinese Political Minister Counselor Li Junhua said 
that he was "only speaking on instructions received from his 
capital" and proceeded with a strongly worded statement 
reiterating China's objection to Security Council action in 
Burma and its position that the Burma's future "lies in the 
hands of its people."  Li also insisted that the regime's 
seven-step roadmap is the only feasible way forward in Burma 
and international efforts to support Burma on the path to 
democracy should reflect this.  He claimed that interrupting 
the roadmap process was not realistic and could "give rise to 
further domestic clashes."  Li called for ASEAN to play a 
greater role and expressed hope that Gambari could return at 
an early date.  Vietnamese PR Minh echoed China's position, 
cautioning that the Burmese required engagement, not 
isolation.  He recommended that the UN focus on poverty as 
"the cause of many problems."  Both delegations suggested the 
need for an "oriental" approach, which they described as 
characterized by patience.  The French and Belgian PermReps 
challenged their view that implementation of the seven-step 
roadmap, which is not inclusive, will be helpful. 
 
Other Negative Voices 
--------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) Russian DPR Dolgov also expressed general agreement 
with the Chinese position.  He offered support for Gambari 
and his good offices mission and reminded the Council that 
Gambari's mission was mandated by the General Assembly.  DPR 
Dolgov added, however, that April was not soon enough for 
Gambari's next visit and that he hoped the "technical issues" 
keeping him from Burma could be resolved.  Dolgov commented 
-- and asked that Gambari pass to the Burmese -- that 
progress thus far was not adequate.  Russia looks forward to 
further progress in Burma, he said, and the Council should 
assess the situation after Gambari's next visit to Burma. 
Both DPR Dolgov and Panamanian PR Arias said the Security 
Council would suffer credibility by focusing on Burma while 
remaining silent on high priority issues, such as the Middle 
East.  South African PR Kumalo questioned the utility of the 
consultations and the efficacy of a press statement.  Beyond 
facilitating the discussion, the Libyan PR Ettalhi did not 
speak on the issue. 
 
Press Statement 
--------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU)  Following the exchange of views among delegations, 
Amb Khalilzad prompted Gambari for his views.  The Special 
Advisor made clear that delays in granting him a visa were 
unacceptable, and underscored the utility for a strong and 
unified signal from the Council.  He said his goal for his 
next visit is to meet ASSK and raise the level of her contact 
with the government.  The Council then adopted the following 
press statement:  "Council members discussed the situation in 
Myanmar on 17 January with the Secretary-General's Special 
Adviser, Ibrahim Gambari.  They reiterated their full support 
for his efforts.  Council members affirmed their support for 
the objectives set out in the Council's presidential 
statement of 11 October 2007.  They regretted the slow rate 
of progress so far towards meeting those objectives.  Council 
members underscored the importance of further progress, 
noting that an early visit by Myanmar by Mr. Gambari could 
help facilitate this.  They looked forward to continuing 
contacts with the special envoy and will remain seized of the 
matter." 
KHALILZAD