VZCZCXRO7289
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHTRO
DE RUCNDT #0689/01 1952228
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 142228Z JUL 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6925
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON PRIORITY 0332

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 000689 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNSC BM
SUBJECT: BAN BRIEFS THE UNSC ON JULY 3-4 TRAVEL TO BURMA 
 
REF: A. USUN 670 
     ¶B. STATE 72110 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary.  In an open session of the Security Council 
on July 13, Secretary-General Ban said he was "deeply 
disappointed" in the regime's refusal to allow a visit with 
Aung Sun Suu Kyi (ASSK).  However, he added that he was able 
to convey key recommendations, including the release of all 
political prisoners, resumption of dialogue and creation of 
an environment conducive to inclusive elections, directly to 
Senior General Than Shwe.  Ban told the regime that they can 
either respond to his recommendations or fail the Burmese 
people and the international community.  Burmese Permanent 
Representative Swe replied that Burma intends to implement 
"all appropriate" recommendations, including granting amnesty 
to prisoners to participate in 2010 elections and reiterated 
that elections would be "free and fair."  Swe said the 
regime's two main priorities include the handover of power 
after 2010 elections to civilian authorities and building a 
base for socio-economic development, which were conveyed to 
the SYG.  Swe said the Special Court could not allow Ban to 
meet with ASSK, even though Senior General Than Shwe wanted 
him to, and claimed that undue pressure is not conducive to 
Burma's "home-grown political process." 
 
¶2. (SBU) (Summary cont.) Ambassador DiCarlo challenged the 
regime to implement all of Ban's recommendations and engage 
credibly with the international community.  Council members 
reiterated unanimous support for the SYG's efforts and his 
good offices mission, and most pressed the regime to respond 
positively to the SYG's recommendations.  Many expressed 
disappointment with the regime's decision to refuse a meeting 
between Ban and ASSK.  Several members identified upcoming 
elections as a critical next step and pressed the regime to 
translate assurances for free and fair elections into 
concrete actions.  The UK and France commented on the need 
for further Council action if the Burmese do not engage Ban's 
recommendations or there is a "bad outcome" from ASSK's 
trial.  China claimed the "Western style" would not resolve 
the country's problems and said the international community 
should lead with more assistance and less arrogance.  End 
Summary. 
 
Secretary-General Ban's Travel to Burma 
 
¶3. (SBU) Secretary-General Ban said that Burma was at a 
critical juncture and the regime must engage on concerns that 
"cannot be left unaddressed."  He said that the regime's 
refusal to allow him to see Aung Sun Suu Kyi (ASSK) was a 
"deep disappointment" and a "major lost opportunity" for 
Burma.  Ban said that, during his meeting with Senior General 
Than Shwe, he was able to discuss the need for Burma to take 
meaningful steps on the five point agenda and important 
humanitarian issues.  Ban's focus was on the release of all 
political prisoners, resumption of dialogue and creating 
conditions conducive to credible elections.  He said that 
during meetings with ethnic cease-fire groups, he encouraged 
constructive engagement in dialogue, adding that every 
stakeholder has a role and responsibility. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Ban attributed progress in the Delta to the 
Tripartite Core Group and pressed for the expedited issuance 
of outstanding visas and broader assistance, commenting that 
there is no justification for the government to allow 
humanitarian access to some, but not all.  Ban stressed the 
importance of broad-based engagement with the country adding 
that peace and security are directly effected by 
socio-economic conditions.  On elections, Ban said Senior 
General Than Shwe assured him they would be inclusive, free 
and fair.  Ban said he urged the Senior General to translate 
those assurances into clear, concrete action.  Ban welcomed 
the recent G-8 statement on Burma and added that support from 
the region and the international community is "even more 
important and necessary."  Ban said that the regime has a 
choice, they can either respond to his recommendations or 
fail the Burmese people and the international community. 
 
Burmese Response 
 
¶5. (SBU) Burmese PR Swe said the Burmese authorities did 
their "utmost to accommodate" the SYG's requests, except for 
the meeting with ASSK.  He stressed that Than Shwe 
"thoroughly explained" Burma's recent political developments, 
including the country's two priority areas, which are the 
hand over of State power to civilian rule after 2010 
elections and building a foundation for future socio-economic 
development.  PR Swe reiterated Burma's intention to hold 
free, fair, and credible elections.  Regarding Ban's 
inability to meet with ASSK, Swe said that the Senior General 
was willing to arrange the meeting, but suggested that it was 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000689  002 OF 003 
 
 
the Special Court which could not allow Ban's visit, saying 
it might unfairly "influence the judgment."  On 
socio-economic development, Swe said that some countries have 
imposed sanctions instead of providing assistance, which 
hinders development and "mainly impacts grass-roots level 
people." 
 
¶6. (SBU) Swe said that the government intends to implement 
"all appropriate recommendations" recommended by SYG Ban.  He 
said Burma will grant amnesty to prisoners so they can 
participate in the election, though he did not provide 
further clarity on timing or who would be released.  Swe said 
the government plans on cooperating with the UN in 
agriculture, fisheries and livestock, as well as elections -- 
if technical assistance is necessary.  Swe added that the 
political party registration law and the election law will be 
enacted "in due time," stressing the complex challenges 
facing Burma, given its "multi-ethnic and multi religion" 
population.  He said that undue pressure is not conducive to 
the country's "home-grown political process" and added that 
the issue is not a matter for the Security Council. 
 
P-5 Reactions 
 
¶7. (SBU) P-5 reactions to Ban's briefing largely reflected 
comments made in the July 8 Group of Friends meeting (ref A), 
with the exception of China.  Chinese DPR Liu praised Ban's 
"rich and influential" visit and Senior General Than Shwe's 
willingness to receive the SYG twice.  He said that ASSK is 
in the midst of a legal proceeding in accordance with the 
Burmese judicial process and that the UN should respect the 
judicial sovereignty of its member states.  The problems of 
Burma are multi-faceted, he continued, not about "one 
person."  Liu also said that Ban's engagement was critical in 
assisting the regime to move toward elections, which 
represent step five on the regime's seven-step roadmap.  He 
said that it is "unfair to turn a blind eye to progress" and 
instead to "pick at the government," suggesting that the 
international community should lead with more help and "less 
arrogance."  Liu remarked that social and economic 
development -- not the "Western style" -- are the only 
methods to address the country's problems.  Liu also 
commented that "some" could lift sanctions to enable economic 
development.  Finally, Liu reiterated that the situation in 
Burma is a domestic issue that should not be in the Council 
and has no place on the Council's agenda.  Russian DPR 
Dolgov, in a relatively measured intervention, raised the 
need for "time and patience" but said that Russia expects 
that assurances of a free and fair election would be 
translated into concrete steps by the regime. 
 
¶8. (SBU) Ambassador DiCarlo delivered reftel points (ref B), 
challenging the regime to implement all the SYG's 
recommendations and to engage credibly with its own people, 
the UN, and the international community.  She reminded the 
regime that the United States is ready to respond to genuine 
progress by the regime toward democratic reform.  French PR 
Ripert and UK DPR Parham both commented that the Council 
would be obligated to respond to the regime's inaction on the 
SYG's recommendations or a "bad outcome" from ASSK's trial. 
Ripert added that Council unity is important, but not at the 
expense of progress in Burma. 
 
Asian Perspective 
 
¶9. (SBU) Japanese PR Takasu and Vietnamese DPR Trung also 
reiterated comments from the Group of Friends meeting (ref 
A).  Takasu added that Ban is one of the few who can directly 
convey messages to the most senior leadership and his visit 
was "useful and necessary."  He said the regime should follow 
words with deeds and "take appropriate action" in response to 
Ban's recommendations.  Vietnamese DPR Trung said the Burmese 
PR Swe's commitment to grant amnesty to prisoners should be 
considered the first concrete step toward reform. 
 
The EU, Latin America and Africa 
 
¶10. (SBU) Austria, Croatia and Turkey all voiced strong 
support for Ban and his "courageous decision" to travel to 
Burma and disappointment that the regime refused to allow Ban 
to meet with ASSK.  Austrian PR Mayr-Harting pressed for the 
release of all political prisoners as elections approach.  He 
noted that thousands of Burmese refugees were fleeing to 
neighboring states, which "does not bode well for democracy" 
and called on the regime to act on the SYG's recommendations. 
 He also said that the UN could assist Burma in eliminating 
its opium production.  Croatian DPR Vilovic welcomed the 
SYG's ability to convey important messages to the regime. 
Both Vilovic and Turkish DPR Corman said they hoped the 
authorities would translate assurances of inclusive elections 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000689  003 OF 003 
 
 
to concrete action.  Corman added that 2010 elections would 
be a "critical test."  He also said that the Burmese should 
heed the appeals of the international community and that all 
parties should seize the opportunity, which elections 
represent, to find national reconciliation and peace. 
 
¶11. (SBU) Costa Rican PR Urbina remarked that if the Burmese 
authorities show sincere progress toward political change, 
Costa Rica is open to considering a "gradual change" in 
sanctions and willing to "open doors and build bridges."  He 
said that while ASSK is not the only parameter by which 
success can be measured, she is a barometer to gauge the 
behavior of the regime.  Mexican PR Heller said that 
elections were aimed at facilitating a peaceful transition in 
Burma and the UN and international community is watching the 
authorities closely. 
 
¶12. (SBU) Burkina Faso, Uganda and Libya called for the 
release of political prisoners and also called on the regime 
to create conditions for free and fair elections.  Burkinabe 
PR Kafando pressed the regime to adopt election-related 
legislation and accept the assistance of the international 
community as well as the UN.  Kafando also called on the 
Burmese to facilitate the national economic forum.  Libyan 
DPR Dabbashi regretted Ban's inability to meet with ASSK, 
despite the regime's explanation, and encouraged further 
cooperation with the UN and ASEAN to "bring about results." 
RICE