US embassy cable - 04RANGOON1540

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 001540 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV; PACOM FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, KDEM, BM, ASSK 
SUBJECT: VETERAN POLITICIANS CALL FOR RELEASE OF ASSK, 
CHASTISE SPDC 
 
REF: A. RANGOON 1488 
     B. RANGOON 1530 
     C. RANGOON 404 
 
Classified By: COM Carmen Martinez for Reasons 1.4 (b,d) 
 
1. (U) Summary:  The Veteran Politicians, a respected group 
of Burma's aging war heroes and retired government officials, 
commemorated the country's 84th "National Day" on December 6 
by praising recently released political prisoners; urging the 
early release of opposition leaders ASSK and U Tin Oo; and 
criticizing the regime for ignoring 1990 elections results 
and targeting political party members.  Their feisty 
criticism of the regime and overt support of the 
pro-democracy movement is a breath of fresh air in an 
environment otherwise polluted by a climate of fear.  End 
Summary. 
 
2. (SBU) On December 6, the "Group of Veteran Politicians and 
Colleagues" - a political association of retired government 
officials, military officers, party leaders, and Burmese 
independence fighters - gathered in Rangoon to celebrate 
Burma's 84th anniversary of "Glorious National Day."  The 
anniversary, recognized by the GOB as an official holiday but 
not widely observed, commemorates a 1920 student strike that 
sparked the struggle for Burmese independence from the 
British.  Several hundred supporters attended the Veterans' 
event, as did members of the NLD Central Executive Committee 
and leaders of the pro-democracy ethnic political parties. 
Emboff was the only diplomat in attendance.  Also on the 
scene was a phalanx of military intelligence agents who 
photographed participants and filmed the entire proceedings. 
 
3. (C) Thakhin Thein Pe, the 89 year-old leader of the 
Veteran Politicians, read a chairman's statement that praised 
recently released political prisoners "for their selfless 
sacrifices and beliefs" and urged attendees to pray for the 
early release of NLD leaders Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) and U 
Tin Oo and other political prisoners.  At the event, Emboff 
spoke with NLD MP-elect U Ohn Maung, released from Insein 
Prison on November 19 after six years of detention (ref A), 
who said, "As long as the MI thugs harass these peaceful 
events, I will be here to meet them." 
 
4. (U) In a group statement, the Veterans criticized the 
Burmese military regime for "dishonorably" ignoring the 
results of its own 1990 legislative elections.  The Veterans 
also chastised the SPDC for using notorious provisions of the 
1975 "Law to Safeguard the State Against the Dangers of 
Subversive Elements," enacted by former dictator Ne Win, to 
target political party members.  The Veterans observed that 
the recent extension of ASSK's house arrest (ref B) was 
"inappropriate" and harmful to national reconciliation, 
noting that ASSK has frequently acknowledged her willingness 
to work with the military on the future of the country. 
 
5. (C) Comment: Individual members of the Veteran Politicians 
have for years suffered arbitrary arrest, long prison terms, 
and other human rights abuses under the Burmese regime 
(authorities, for example, detained Chairman Thein Pe in 2003 
for holding a National Day event without official 
permission).  However, collectively they have enjoyed a 
certain degree of immunity.  The SPDC, begrudgingly, feels 
compelled to respect their historical service to the country, 
but also views the group as politically benign (most of the 
members are in their 80s and 90s).  However, the Veterans' 
feisty criticism of the regime and overt support of the 
pro-democracy movement is a breath of fresh air in an 
environment otherwise polluted by a climate of fear.  End 
Comment. 
MARTINEZ