US embassy cable - 04RANGOON1343

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 001343 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PASS TO USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2014 
TAGS: PREL, EAID, BM, ASSK, NLD 
SUBJECT: AUNG SAN SUU KYI THANKS AMERICA FOR ITS SUPPORT, 
SEEKS ASSISTANCE FOR NLD-RUN SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS 
 
Classified By: CHIEF OF MISSION CARMEN MARTINEZ FOR REASON 1.4 (B/D) 
 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY:  Aung San Suu Kyi sent a verbal message via a 
trusted Burmese confidante to us October 8 to:  A) thank the 
U.S. for its continued strong support of democracy in Burma, 
B) warn that "some in the UN system are seeking to undermine 
America,s efforts in Burma," and C) seek USG support for 
NLD-sponsored social welfare programs.  End Summary. 
 
2. (C) Emboff met a Burmese confidante of Aung San Suu Kyi on 
October 8.  This source, one of three or four people who can 
enter and leave ASSK's housing compound regularly, requested 
the meeting.  He stated that Aung San Suu Kyi had provided 
him with a very specific message to pass verbally, noting 
that for security reasons she preferred not to send a written 
note at this time. 
 
3. (C) First, Aung San Suu Kyi sent her profound thanks for 
the staunch support by the American government and people for 
the cause of democracy in Burma, the contact said.  Aung San 
Suu Kyi said that the U.S. has shown itself to be a true and 
close friend of Burma, he added. 
 
4. (C) Second, ASSK sent a warning, not further amplified, 
that she has learned that some officials in the United Nation 
system are working against U.S. objectives in Burma.  (For 
potential context, see sensitive reporting in other channels.) 
 
5. (C) Third, she asked for USG support for NLD social 
welfare programs.  She specified four types of programs for 
which she sought U.S. support:  pencils and notebooks for 
students, medicines, support for the elderly, and continued 
support for the Embassy-run Professional Development Program 
(PDP) aimed at building next-generation leadership potential 
among NLD officials.  The contact also mentioned support for 
the families of political prisoners. 
 
6. (C) Since the NLD as a party is forbidden from receiving 
outside assistance under Burmese law and refuses to do so on 
principle, we discussed potential delivery mechanisms should 
support for ASSK's suggested programs be forthcoming.  One 
idea posited was that ASSK might nominate non-NLD individuals 
as cutouts to receive assistance and funnel it on to the NLD. 
 (Note:  This approach has been used successfully in the 
recent past.  End Note.)  The contact said he,d discuss this 
in detail with Aung San Suu Kyi at the earliest opportunity 
and get back to us.  We added that some sort of handwritten 
request, even if not addressed directly to us for security,s 
sake, would be desirable prior to the start of any such 
assistance. 
 
7. (C) COMMENT:  ASSK,s verbal message was likely in 
response to at least three queries we have stealthily 
delivered to her in recent months seeking her views on ways 
the USG might assist the pro-democracy movement.  We were a 
bit surprised by her comments on PDP, as the initial batch of 
NLD trainees she nominated has completed its course of study 
and we are still waiting for an NLD response to our repeated 
inquiries regarding a potential second batch of participants. 
 Aung San Suu Kyi knows that the NLD, which is at very low 
ebb, needs to provide something positive to its members and 
supporters - if not democracy and a better life immediately, 
then at least pencils and paper for their children and 
perhaps some medicine for the ill.  This is the first direct 
message we have received from her since April.  End Comment. 
 
Martinez