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