US embassy cable - 04RANGOON601

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000601 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV; USPACOM FOR FPA 
COMMERCE FOR ITA JEAN KELLY 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PINS, BM, National Convention 
SUBJECT: SPDC REJECTS CEASE-FIRE GROUPS' NC APPEAL 
 
REF: RANGOON 600 
 
Classified By: COM Carmen M. Martinez for Reasons 1.4 (B,D) 
 
1.  (C) SUMMARY:  The SPDC rejected an 11th hour appeal from 
Burma's eight largest cease-fire groups on May 12 to allow 
free discussions during the National Convention.  The SPDC's 
reported response on May 13 stated the Prime Minister is 
upset the cease-fire groups don't want the military involved 
in the political process.  The PM pointed out that in fact 
the military will only be a minority of 100 in the new 
400-member parliament.  In the end, on May 14 the cease-fire 
groups headed off to the convention site as planned.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
2.  (C) Eight cease-fire groups submitted a joint letter May 
12 to the Chairman of the National Convention Convening 
Commission, Secretary-1 Lt Gen Thein Sein, asking for 
amendment of the draft constitution's six political 
objectives, which they described as "unsuited for the 
peoples' wishes for a democratic process."  The letter also 
asked for amendment of the 104 principles, which they see as 
"incompatible with democratic reforms," and for the promise 
of free discussion with any individual or organization during 
the upcoming National Convention. 
 
3.  (C) In reply, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt 
reportedly sent the SPDC's chief ethnic armed group 
negotiator Col San Pwint to tell the cease-fire groups that 
the Prime Minister is "upset" that the cease-fire groups want 
the military to stay out of politics, especially after he has 
done so much for them.  The PM believes the letter was "not 
written intentionally," and feels there is a misunderstanding 
regarding the military's role in politics.  The PM's envoy 
claimed that with just 100 out of the 400 seats in the 
parliament, the military will only have a minority platform 
in politics.  The Prime Minister hoped the cease-fire groups 
would remain within the good graces of the government. 
 
4.  (C)  COMMENT: In the early afternoon on May 14 the 
cease-fire groups, despite their misgivings about procedures, 
made their way to the Convention site prepared to participate 
on May 17.  They continue to aspire to overturn the six 
objectives and 104 principles, or at least to fix a timeline 
for phasing the military out of the legislature and 
government.  However, without the participation of the NLD 
and the SNLD (ref), there are far fewer critical voices to 
add to theirs.  END COMMENT. 
Martinez