US embassy cable - 04RANGOON790

UNCLAS RANGOON 000790 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV, INL 
USPACOM FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR, PGOV, BM 
SUBJECT: KOWI PARTNERS MEET, LAY OUT CONCERNS TO GOB 
 
REF: A. RANGOON 680 
     B. RANGOON 240 
 
1. (SBU) ACCORDING TO UNODC'S BURMA OFFICE, ON JUNE 21ST 
EIGHT AGENCIES OF THE BURMESE GOVERNMENT SAT DOWN WITH THE 
UN, INGO, AND JAPANESE GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS FOR 
THE KOKANG AND WA INITIATIVE (KOWI) TO DISCUSS BARRIERS TO 
SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION.  NO DONORS WERE INVITED TO ATTEND. 
 ACCORDING TO UNODC IT WAS THE FIRST TIME ALL PARTNERS WERE 
AT THE TABLE TOGETHER WITH RELEVANT GOB AGENCIES TO DISCUSS 
THE PROGRAM.  IF SUCCESSFUL, KOWI WILL PROVIDE CROP 
SUBSTITUTION AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS WHO FORMERLY 
RELIED ON GROWING OPIUM POPPIES. 
 
2. (SBU) AT THE MEETING, CHAIRED BY THE HOME AFFAIRS 
MINISTRY'S CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR DRUG ABUSE CONTROL (CCDAC), 
THE 17 IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS TABLED A LIST OF EIGHT 
OPERATIONAL AREAS IN WHICH IMPROVEMENT WAS NEEDED IN THE WA 
AND KOKANG REGIONS.  UNODC SAID THE PARTNERS WOULD FURTHER 
FLESH THESE ISSUES OUT THEN PRESENT THEM FORMALLY (THOUGH IN 
AN INFORMAL WAY) TO THE GOB FOR FURTHER ACTION.  THE EIGHT 
AREAS ARE: 
 
-- IMPROVED TRANSPORT AND ACCESS INTO THE REGION AND WITHIN 
THE REGION (PARTICULARLY BETWEEN MILITARY REGIONS); 
-- SECURER METHODS TO TRANSFER FUNDS INTO THE REGION; 
-- BETTER ACCESS TO CHINA (FOR PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND FOR 
BANKING OF NEEDED FUNDS); 
-- BETTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN RANGOON AND THE FIELD AND 
BETWEEN IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS.  THE BEST WOULD BE AN 
INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATION SYSTEM THAT IS NOT RELIANT ON THE 
GOB'S ELECTRICITY SUPPLY AND IS NOT CONTROLLED BY THE LOCAL 
AUTHORITIES; 
-- BETTER SECURITY, INDEPENDENT OF THE MILITARY OR POLICE 
FORCES WHOSE ACTIVITIES IN THE WA AND KOKANG CEASE-FIRE AREAS 
ARE OFTEN CONSTRAINED, FOR WORKERS IN THE REGION; 
-- ACCESS TO A RELIABLE MEDEVAC SERVICE; 
-- MORE LENIENT IMPORT RESTRICTIONS, PARTICULARLY FOR 
AUTOMOBILES.  WE NOTE THAT THIS IS A BURDEN FOR ALL NGOS, AND 
OTHERS WITHOUT DUTY-FREE PRIVILEGES, OPERATING IN BURMA. 
THOUGH ILLEGALLY IMPORTED CARS ARE WIDELY AVAILABLE IN THE 
BORDER AREAS, THE GOB ONLY ALLOWS THE CLOSEST BUSINESS 
CRONIES TO LEGALLY IMPORT VEHICLES; AND, 
-- DEVELOPMENT OF A LONG-TERM PLAN BY THE GOB TO ENSURE 
SUSTAINABILITY OF THE PROJECT FOLLOWING THE PHASE-OUT OF UN 
INVOLVEMENT. 
 
3. (SBU) COMMENT: CONSIDERING THE VAST NUMBER OF INVOLVED 
PARTIES, CONTINUATION OF THIS TYPE OF ALL-HANDS COORDINATION 
WILL BE VITAL TO MAXIMIZING THE POTENTIAL OF THE KOWI 
PROJECT.  THE CONCERNS THE PARTNERS RAISED ARE EXTREMELY 
VALID, BUT THEY WILL BE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO RECTIFY.  EVEN 
IF PARTNERS, OR DONORS, ARE WILLING TO FOOT THE BILL, WE ARE 
DOUBTFUL THE GOB WILL BE ABLE TO (OR WILLING TO IN SOME 
CASES) ADDRESS MANY OF THESE SENSITIVE ISSUES.  END COMMENT. 
MARTINEZ