VZCZCXRO3624
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHTRO
DE RUCNDT #0670/01 1902330
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 092330Z JUL 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6891
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 2732
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 0930
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON PRIORITY 0330
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 1160
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 8765

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000670 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM
SUBJECT: GAMBARI CONVENES THE NINTH BURMA GROUP OF FRIENDS 
MEETING 
 
REF: STATE 70206 
 
 ¶1. (SBU) Summary.  On July 8, Special Advisor Gambari 
convened the ninth Group of Friends of Burma meeting on 
behalf of Secretary-General Ban.  Gambari reviewed Ban's 
schedule of meetings during the trip as well as his brief 
visit to the Delta and speech to the diplomatic corps and 
others.  Gambari highlighted two extended meetings with 
Senior General Than Shwe, where Ban conveyed in the "clearest 
possible terms" the UN's and the international community's 
expectations.  Gambari underscored the SYG's "deep 
disappointment" that his request to visit with Aung San Suu 
Kyi was denied -- a sentiment echoed by all the Friends. 
According to Gambari, Ban suggested that the Burmese 
participate in a high level meeting on Burma during the UNGA 
General Debate in September, which the Burmese are 
considering.  All Friends unanimously reiterated support for 
Ban's trip and the continued efforts of the good offices 
mission. Many also stressed the need for broader engagement 
with the regime and raised upcoming elections and ASSK's 
trial.  Predictably, there were differing assessments of 
Ban's trip, but Ambassador DiCarlo reminded the Friends that 
the real issue is the regime's failure to engage meaningfully 
with the UN and the international community, not whether 
Ban's trip was a success.  End Summary. 
 
UN Special Advisor Gambari 
 
¶2. (SBU) Special Advisor Gambari said he was tasked by 
Secretary-General Ban to brief the Group of Friends on the 
"tough but necessary" trip.  He commented that the timing of 
the trip -- between the trial of ASSK and upcoming 2010 
elections -- made it particularly important and especially 
challenging.  Gambari conveyed Ban's gratitude to the group 
for its support of his "judgment to proceed" with the trip. 
He stressed that Ban conveyed in the "clearest possible 
terms" the expectations of the UN and the international 
community to the highest levels of the Burmese regime, 
including Senior General Than Shwe.  Gambari listed Ban's 
meetings, which included extended sessions with Than Shwe, 
Prime Minister Thein Sein, registered political parties, the 
NLD, and ethnic cease-fire groups.  He said Ban's speech to 
the diplomatic community, NGOs and government officials 
provided a valuable opportunity to convey important messages 
broadly.  Gambari said that Ban returned to the Delta and was 
briefed by the Tripartite Core Group on progress since 
Cyclone Nargis.  Gambari said Ban was "deeply disappointed" 
that his request to see ASSK was denied. 
 
¶3. (SBU) According to Gambari, Ban discussed at length with 
Burmese officials the need for Burma to take meaningful steps 
on the five point agenda in addition to progress on the 
humanitarian front, specifically encouraging the regime to 
grant outstanding visas for humanitarian workers and 
broadening international humanitarian access to regions 
beyond the Delta.  (Note:  Gambari called Ban's approach 
"five plus one.")  Of the five points, Ban focused on the 
release of all political prisoners, including ASSK; the 
resumption of a dialogue between the regime and the 
opposition; and the need to create conditions conducive to 
credible, legitimate elections.  Specifically, Gambari said 
that Ban requested the immediate release of ASSK and the 
release of all political prisoners by 2010 elections.  He 
proposed that the authorities publish the election law as 
early as possible and set a date for 2010 elections.  He said 
that the regime should allow NLD offices to open and should 
re-register "deregistered" political parties.  Ban also asked 
the regime to consider UN assistance and independent 
observers for upcoming elections.  According to Gambari, Ban 
also suggested participation in a high-level meeting of the 
Group of Friends of Burma on the margins of the General 
Debate in September, which the Burmese are considering. 
(Note:  Ban also convened a high-level meeting on Burma last 
September, inviting foreign ministers to attend.  Burma did 
not attend the meeting.)  Gambari said that the 
Secretary-General "believes support to the good offices 
mission and the efforts of the Secretary-General -- both 
individually and as a group -- are more important now than 
ever." 
 
¶4. (SBU) On next steps, Gambari remarked that Ban asked him 
to consult with the Friends on the best way forward, noting 
that he has also been tasked with following up with the 
regime on the points raised by Ban during his trip.  Gambari 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000670  002 OF 002 
 
 
said that there was no timeline given but that "the ball is 
in Burma's court" and the regime must return the ball in a 
"reasonable time." 
 
P-5 Reactions 
 
¶5. (SBU) The P-5 voiced disappointment with the regime's 
decision to reject Ban's request for a meeting with ASSK. 
Ambassador DiCarlo conveyed reftel points and reminded the 
group that the discussion is not on whether Ban's trip was a 
success or failure, but about the Burmese regime's failure to 
engage meaningfully with the UN and the international 
community and respond to their demands as delivered by Ban. 
UK DPR Parham characterized the regime's lack of response as 
an opportunity missed and added that a negative outcome of 
ASSK's trial would demand a "robust response" from the 
international community.  Both the UK and France commented 
that Ban should brief the Security Council on his trip upon 
his return. 
 
¶6. (SBU) China and Russia said the number of high-level 
meetings clearly indicated a successful trip, stressing that 
Ban had the ability to convey international concerns directly 
to Senior General Than Shwe, thus meeting the primary 
objective for his visit.  Chinese DPR Liu emphasized the 
importance of broad engagement as opposed to focusing on 
political issues or "one person."  He also encouraged the 
group to support the election process and reminded the 
Friends that the good offices mission was a process.  Russian 
DPR Dolgov added that there is no meaningful alternative to 
the good offices mission.  Notably, at the end of their 
interventions, both Russia and China wished Gambari "good 
luck." 
 
Asian Perspective 
 
¶7. (SBU) Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, India and 
Indonesia were united in their support of Ban's trip and the 
good office's mission.  Though disappointed with Ban's 
inability to see ASSK, each praised the SYG for his 
substantive, meaningful visit and extensive meetings with the 
regime.  Japanese PR Takasu said he hopes the Burmese 
authorities will respond positively to Ban's requests, adding 
that the Friends should continue to develop and maintain the 
"toolbox" for engagement with the country with elections as 
an important next step.  Vietnam, Thailand, India and 
Indonesia all stressed the need for broad engagement that 
extends beyond the political sphere.  Indonesian PR 
Natalegawa commented that the regime's reasoning for denying 
the SYG's request to see ASSK was to preserve the 
independence of the judicial process.  Natalegawa commented 
that Indonesia was "keen that this applies in a good way." 
Singaporean PR Menon said that Ban's visit represented a 
combined, international effort and Singapore "never really 
expected concrete results" from one visit.  He added that 
elections needed to be free and fair but cautioned the 
Friends against pre-judging the outcome of ASSK's trial. 
 
¶8. (SBU) Republic of Korea DPR Bonghyun commented that Ban's 
meetings were good, but said that Korea was very disappointed 
there was no ASSK meeting.  Bonghyun added that such a 
meeting would have been an important, symbolic gesture of the 
regime's willingness to engage with the UN and the 
international community.  He said that Korea is "suspicious" 
of the Burmese government's intentions with respect to 
upcoming elections.  Bonghyun added that if the Burmese do 
not engage with the UN and the international community, there 
should be consequences. 
 
The EU and others 
 
¶9. (SBU) Sweden, on behalf of the EU, and Norway welcomed the 
SYG's visit to Burma as a "courageous step."  Both pledged 
their support to the good offices mission and their 
willingness to engage in response to positive developments in 
Burma.  Australian PR Quinlan said the Burmese response to 
the SYG's requests was "unsatisfactory."  He commented that 
Australia, like the UK, will have to "take stronger action" 
if ASSK's trial concludes negatively. 
RICE