US embassy cable - 04RANGOON1627

UNCLAS RANGOON 001627 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PASS TO S/CT AND FOR TTIC 
 
E.O.  12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PTER, ASEC, BM 
SUBJECT:  BURMA: 2004 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT 
 
 
1. Embassy Rangoon's submission for the annual 
terrorism report follows.  Post will update the final 
section of this short statement when GOB provides 
requested information. 
Burma 
Burma maintained its solid position against 
international terrorism in 2004. The regime 
previously enacted an anti-money laundering law that 
could help block terrorist assets if and when fully 
implemented. The military government is fighting 
several low-intensity conflicts against ethnic 
insurgents. 
The junta has occasionally sought to portray 
insurgent attacks against infrastructure such as 
bridges and pipelines as terrorism, but there were no 
known acts of international terrorism during 2004. 
Several improvised explosive devices exploded or were 
discovered in various locations in Burma in 2004. 
There were no credible claims of responsibility for 
these acts. In December an improvised explosive 
device exploded in Rangoon, injuring one person. The 
perpetrators' identity and motives are unclear. 
According to United Nations information, Burma is 
party to or a signatory of nine of the 12 
international conventions and protocols relating to 
terrorism. 
 
2.  This additional information is keyed to para 15 
of reftel. 
a.  GOB has cooperated in various counter-terrorism 
and security issues, such as continuing to keep 
closed the major street fronting the chancery and by 
providing armed police at the chancery and other 
embassy facilities. 
b.  see above 
c.  none 
d.  n/a 
e.  The GOB has fairly well developed human and 
technical surveillance capabilities focused primarily 
on the domestic political opposition and insurgent 
groups. 
f.  The GOB maintains stringent border controls along 
its border with Bangladesh in a region alleged to be 
of interest to extremist groups from South Asia. 
g.  none 
h.  Previous border control joint unit known as 
NaSaKa has reportedly been disbanded for alleged 
corruption and is being replaced by separate units of 
police, immigration, and customs officials. 
i.  none 
j.  GOB counter-insurgency forces operate on the Thai 
and Indian borders. 
k.  none 
l.  n/a 
m.  none 
n.  none 
o.  none 
p.  none 
q.  none 
r.  none 
MARTINEZ