VZCZCXRO1609
PP RUEHAG RUEHCHI RUEHDF RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHNH RUEHROV
DE RUEHGP #0541 1330955
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 120955Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5282
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0883
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0190
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000541 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID MOPS PREL PHUM BM SN
SUBJECT: BURMESE EXILES PETITION FOR MILITARY INTERVENTION 
 
REF: SINGAPORE 509 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Four representatives of a Burmese exile group 
calling itself the Overseas Burmese Patriots (OBP) presented 
post with a petition May 12 calling on the United States to 
"immediately enter Burma" to deliver humanitarian relief 
"regardless of the lack of permission from the military 
junta."  In a brief meeting with Econ/Pol Chief, OBP 
representatives stressed that the regime lacked both the 
resources and the will to provide necessary relief, and that 
further delay would result in a greater loss of life.  They 
claimed the regime was ignoring altogether the needs of an 
ethnic Karen group in the Irrawaddy Delta, which they likened 
to ethnic cleansing.  Econ/Pol Chief accepted the petition, 
expressed sympathy with the Burmese people, and provided 
assurances that the USG understands the urgency of expanding 
the relief effort and is doing everything possible to 
persuade the regime of the need for full international 
access. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Post first became aware of OBP when the group 
emerged to organize opposition to Burma's constitutional 
referendum (reftel).  The group contacted us May 12 to 
request a meeting shortly before arriving at the embassy. 
Accompanied by three camera crews and one freelance 
journalist working for AP, the group delivered the same 
petition and message earlier in the day to the British High 
Commission and were seeking a meeting with the Australian 
High Commission. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The envelope containing the petition was addressed 
to President Bush.  However, an enclosed letter covering the 
signature list was addressed to Australian Prime Minister 
Kevin Rudd and called on the Australian Navy intervene in 
Burma, presumably the result of a clerical error.  Post will 
forward the packet to EAP/MLS via pouch. 
 
Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm 
SHIELDS