Cablegate: Singapore Issues Stronger Statement On Burma

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PP RUEHDT RUEHPB
DE RUEHGP #1795 2700916
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 270916Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4104
INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0080
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 001795

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL SG ASEAN BM
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE ISSUES STRONGER STATEMENT ON BURMA

REF: SINGAPORE 1782

1. (SBU) One day after we urged the Singapore MFA to do more
on Burma (reftel), the DCM had the opportunity to ask
Southeast Asia Director (D-G equivalent) Peter Tan for the
GOS' latest thinking on the evolving situation. Tan said
that in light of reports that the government crackdown had
resulted in at least one death and scores of injuries, the
MFA had felt compelled to issue another, more forceful,
statement today saying Singapore was "deeply troubled and
concerned" over the use of force to surpress demonstrations
(full text in paragraph 2)." Noting that the situation in
Burma "affects all ASEAN countries," the statement urged
authorities to "exercise utmost restraint." Tan (and the MFA
statement) underscored Singapore's strong support for the
UN's role in defusing the situation in Burma. The statement
welcomed UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's decision to
dispatch special envoy Ibrahim Gambari to Burma and called on
the authorities to grant him "full access to all players."

2. (U) Text of MFA Statement:

Singapore is deeply troubled and concerned by reports that
the demonstrations in Yangon have been suppressed by force.
We urge the Myanmar authorities to exercise utmost restraint.
Singapore welcomes the decision of UN Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon to send Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari to Myanmar. We
fully support any initiative by the UN which would help
defuse the situation.

We urge the Myanmar authorities to admit Mr. Gambari into
Myanmar and grant him full access to all players in Myanmar.
A peaceful resolution to the situation in Myanmar will
require the cooperation and involvement of all parties,
including the military.

The situation in Myanmar affects all ASEAN countries. We
hope that the Myanmar authorities and all other parties in
Myanmar will appreciate the broader implications of their
actions on the region as a whole and act accordingly. The UN
offers the best hope for a peaceful resolution of the
situation. We call upon the Myanmar authorities to take
advantage of Mr. Gambari's planned visit to defuse the
situation.

Currently in New York for the UN General Assembly session,
Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo has applauded the
decision by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to send Mr.
Gambari on this mission. He urged all parties in Myanmar to
work towards national reconciliation. He had spoken to Mr.
Gambari in New York and assured him of Singapore's full
support.

We understand that the UN Security Council intends to conduct
consultations on the situation in Myanmar. In his capacity
as the current Chairman of the ASEAN Standing Committee, Mr.
Yeo is currently consulting with Foreign Minister Hassan
Wirajuda of Indonesia, which is now a non-permanent member of
the UN Security Council, and other ASEAN Members.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE 27 SEPTEMBER 2007

End Text.

Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm
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