US embassy cable - 04RANGOON1612

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 001612 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV; PACOM FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2014 
TAGS: PHUM, KDEM, BM, ASSK, Human Rights, NLD 
SUBJECT: PROVISIONING ASSK, MORE ARRESTS, AND PRISONER 
RELEASES 
 
REF: A. RANGOON 1591 
     B. RANGOON 1587 
     C. RANGOON 1552 
     D. RANGOON-BCLTV EMAIL 12/20/04 
 
Classified By: COM Carmen Martinez for Reasons 1.4 (b,d) 
 
PROVISIONING ASSK 
 
1. (C) As of December 20, new arrangements for ensuring Aung 
San Su Kyi's (ASSK) access to food reportedly had been 
instituted.  A designated individual who has served a similar 
role in the past is to bring food for ASSK and the two women 
who remain with her in the compound each morning at 0900 
hours.  Provisions are to be dropped off at the compound 
gate.  No correspondence or communication will be allowed 
between this individual and anyone at ASSK's residence (i.e., 
a grocery list).  Prior to allowing this arrangement to 
proceed, a Special Branch Officer located at the compound 
required the individual buying and transporting ASSK's 
groceries to fill out a personal history questionnaire 
identifying his name, address and the names and addresses of 
family members, this despite his history as having served in 
this capacity first in 1995 and most recently in the 
aftermath of the regime-orchestrated May 30th attack on ASSK 
and her supporters.  We anticipate that this new arrangement 
will proceed without interference. 
 
MORE ARRESTS 
 
2. (C) Separately, four former NLD members (Ba Tint, Ba 
Myint, Aung Moe San and Ma Theingi) were arrested in Rangoon 
on December 19 for being in possession of and/or having 
written "objectionable material" (NFI).  The four individuals 
all were part of a group of 20 NLD members who were suspended 
by the NLD Central Executive Committee (CEC) in September 
after taking part in an unauthorized demonstration outside 
the UNDP office (ref C).  Although there have been prior 
arrests (two separate) instances in other divisions this 
month, these are the first arrests of pro-democracy activists 
in Rangoon. 
 
 
PRISONER RELEASES 
 
3.  (C) On December 12, 6 NLD youth members (Aung Myo Win, 
Nyi Nyi Naing, Myo Aung, Soe Than, Aung Myat Min and Soe Moe) 
were released from Mawlamyaing Prison after serving seven 
years.  Of the 14,218 prisoners the GOB claims it has 
released in three tranches since November 18, approximately 
80 can reasonably be described as security detainees of some 
sort, including perhaps 50 straightforward political 
prisoners. 
MARTINEZ