US embassy cable - 04RANGOON959

UNCLAS RANGOON 000959 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE PASS AID/ANE 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV, EB, AND IO 
BANGKOK FOR AID 
USPACOM FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, SENV, PGOV, BM, NGO 
SUBJECT: IRRAWADDY FLOODING DRAWS SCANT INTEREST 
 
1. (SBU) Starting July 18th, heavy rains caused the upper 
Irrawaddy River to overflow its banks, and flood waters 
reportedly reached four to ten feet in the Kachin State 
capital of Myitkyina.  Local NGOs in Myitkyina reported the 
worst flooding since 1997, fouled wells, thousands homeless, 
and perhaps 50 dead.  Other Kachin towns down river of 
Myitkyina also reported flooding, though we have no 
information on any major destruction or casualties.  Local 
sources tell us the waters in Kachin State are receding. 
 
2. (SBU) By July 25th the Irrawaddy flooding was beginning to 
affect Mandalay (about 250 miles down river from Myitkyina). 
Local NGO officials told A/DCM and visiting EAP/BCLTV deputy 
director, traveling in Mandalay, that the situation looked to 
be the worst for thirty years -- though they knew of no 
significant damage or loss of life yet.  Already the waters 
are beginning to wash over the Rangoon-Mandalay highway and 
parallel railway line, both built near the river.  Damage to 
these transport routes could cause significant economic 
problems as Mandalay, Burma's second largest city, is the 
commercial hub for supplying most of Upper and Central Burma 
with goods brought in from China. 
 
3. (SBU) Despite the worrying situation, thus far the GOB has 
taken no visible action nor asked for international 
assistance.  In the July 28th edition of regime mouthpiece 
"The New Light of Myanmar," an article recounts a July 24-25 
visit to Myitkyina by the SPDC's Secretary Two (S-2) Lt. Gen. 
Thein Sein.  S-2, after "fulfilling the requirements of the 
victims," told local officials that this type of flooding was 
normal and that "such kind of incident does not last long." 
He added that, in any event, "the magnitude of damage and 
loss was small."  According to the UNDP in Rangoon, and the 
UN resident coordinator, UN agencies in Burma are closely 
monitoring the flooding and have told the GOB they are 
prepared to offer assistance.  No such request has come yet, 
though, so the UN has not yet mounted any relief efforts. 
 
4. (SBU) On July 27th, the MOFA Director General for 
Political Affairs U Thaung Tun, in a meeting with EAP/BCLTV 
deputy director and P/E chief, was equally dismissive of the 
flooding.  "It's not as bad as it looks," he said, "and while 
we would accept help from our friends, we have no plans to 
request assistance from the UN community." 
Martinez