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PP RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHTRO
DE RUCNDT #0892/01 2742211
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 302211Z SEP 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5036
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 3372

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000892 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM
SUBJECT: BURMA GROUP OF FRIENDS MINISTERIAL 
 
REF: USUN 662 
 
¶1. (SBU) Secretary-General Ban convened a high-level meeting 
of the Burma Group of Friends on September 27 attended by 
Indonesian Foreign Minister Wirajuda, Japanese Foreign 
Minister Nakasone, EU High Representative Solana, Vietnamese 
DPM and Foreign Minister Khiem, UK Foreign Secretary 
Miliband, French Minister of State Jouyet, Chinese DPR Liu, 
Singaporean Foreign Minister Yeo, Norwegian DPR Juul, Russian 
Deputy Foreign Minister Yakovenko, ROK PR Park In-kook, 
Australian PR Hill, Thai Deputy Permanent Secretary 
Santaputra, Indian Foreign Secretary Menon, and ASEAN 
Secretary-General Pitsuwan. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Special Advisor Gambari commented that the recent 
release of several political prisoners was a "good first 
step," but more needed to be done.  He challenged the group 
to "deploy efforts" to improve the situation in Burma 
individually and collectively and to encourage Aung Sun Suu 
Kyi to remain engaged with the United Nations. 
Secretary-General Ban shared his frustration with the slow 
progress in Burma but maintained that both his visit to Burma 
and Gambari's several visits "had successes," including 
allowing for a dialogue between ASSK and the regime.  SYG Ban 
told the group that he spoke with the Burmese Foreign 
Minister Nyan Win earlier that day and explained the need for 
cooperation with the UN.  He also cautioned Win against 
disappointing the international community and pressed him to 
release ASSK.  According to Ban, FM Win said he would convey 
Ban's message to the regime.  Finally, SYG Ban asked the 
Friends to "capitalize on goodwill" demonstrated by the 
recent release of prisoners and stressed the need for unity 
among members.  He told the group that Gambari's recent visit 
was not a failure -- failure would be giving up. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The Friends reiterated positions similar to the 
previous Friends meeting (reftel).  Chinese DPR also 
highlighted the need for economic development in order for 
democracy to flourish.  ASEAN members continued to emphasize 
slow progress and patience.  ASEAN SYG Pitsuwan appealed for 
more support to assist in cyclone assistance and remarked 
that ASEAN is there "to create an umbrella for Burma to 
accept international assistance."  UK FS Miliband stressed 
support for SYG Ban and his role (but did not mention 
Gambari).  Ambassador DiCarlo stressed the need for the 
regime to release political prisoners, including ASSK, and 
pursue a genuine dialogue.  All members again expressed 
support for the good offices mission.  The U.S. and Norway 
cautioned that a possible Ban visit to the regime should be 
tied to concrete results from the regime.  SYG Ban said he 
intended to release a statement after the meeting reflecting 
the group's discussion (full text below).  Russian DFM 
Yakovenko asked that the statement include a reference noting 
the regime's progress, which was strongly rebuffed by 
Ambassador DiCarlo, France, UK and Australia. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Begin Secretary-General Ban's statement: 
 
Today, the Secretary-General convened and chaired the first 
high-level meeting of the Group of Friends of the 
Secretary-General on Myanmar.  This was the sixth meeting of 
the Group since it was established in December 2007. 
 
The Secretary-General thanks all the Friends for their 
high-level participation in a useful and constructive 
discussion.  He also welcome the participation by the 
ministers from several concerned countries as well as by the 
Secretary-General of the Association of South-East Asian 
Nations (ASEAN) and the High Representative of the European 
Union, in today's meeting.  This is a clear signal of the 
importance that the international community attaches to the 
situation in Myanmar. 
 
The members of the Group were unanimous in expressing their 
continued strong support for the Secretary-General's good 
offices mission and for its implementation through his 
Special Advisor, Ibrahim Gambari. 
 
While noting the recent actions taken by the Government of 
Myanmar, members of the Group also further encouraged it to 
work more closely with and respond more positively with the 
United Nations good offices to address key issues of concern 
to the international community, especially the release of 
political prisoners, including Daw Aung Sun Suu Kyi, and the 
initiation of an all-inclusive dialogue between the 
Government and the opposition. 
 
Members of the Group encouraged all parties in Myanmar to 
seize the opportunity of the United Nations good offices, 
while stressing the responsibility of the Myanmar Government 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000892  002 OF 002 
 
 
to demonstrate its stated commitment to cooperation with the 
good offices mission through further tangible results. 
 
End Statement. 
 
Note:  Most members did not express strong support for 
Gambari but for the SYG and his good offices mission. 
Khalilzad