US embassy cable - 05RANGOON579

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000579 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2014 
TAGS: PREL, EAID, KPAO, KDEM, BM, NLD 
SUBJECT: NLD CHAIRMAN ON USG DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE 
 
Classified By: Carmen M. Martinez reason 1.4 (b, d) 
 
1.  (C) Summary: NLD Chairman Aung Shwe is taking an 
increasingly assertive position within the party as Aung San 
Suu Kyi remains isolated under strict house arrest.  Aung 
Shwe endorsed opening a branch American Center in Mandalay to 
support democracy training beyond Rangoon and said he would 
soon nominate a second batch of NLD participants for the 
Professional Development Program, an ESF-funded stealth 
training program for the NLD conducted at the American 
Center.  End Summary. 
 
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NLD Chairman Steps Up 
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2.  (C) PAO and DCM met with Chairman U Aung Shwe and 
Secretary U Lwin May 11 at the National League for Democracy 
 
SIPDIS 
headquarters to discuss USG support for pro-democracy 
activities.  Aung Shwe was unusually animated and engaged 
emboffs on a wide range of specific issues without reference 
to notes or aides.  His spirits seemed high and he exhibited 
his wry sense of humor on several occasions, including a quip 
about being too poor to shop at upscale City Mart, thus 
avoiding harm in the bloody blasts of May 7.  In previous 
meetings U Aung Shwe was unwilling to make definitive 
commitments on issues, needing to defer to Aung San Suu Kyi's 
final say.  As the terms of ASSK's house arrest have become 
increasingly stringent, the heretofore reticent chairman has 
finally begun playing a more forceful role in running the 
daily affairs of the party. 
 
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Grateful for Democracy Training 
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3.  (C) Aung Shwe told emboffs he is very pleased with the 
results of the Professional Development Program (PDP), which 
provides training for key NLD cadre.  About twelve party 
members--all former political prisoners--participated in 
various elements of the first PDP session, with six managing 
to complete the entire two-year course.  Aung Shwe said he 
would nominate a second batch of participants before the end 
of May.  The NLD leaders said they looked forward to 
receiving PDP course materials translated into Burmese (a 
pending ESF-funded pro-democracy project) for distribution to 
NLD members elsewhere.  While at NLD HQ, emboffs observed 
former PDP trainees conducting a human rights workshop for 
mid-level NLD members. 
 
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Support for Mandalay 
-------------------- 
 
4.  (C) The NLD Chairman noted that it is difficult for NLD 
members in central and northern regions to attend democracy 
training activities in Rangoon.  Transport, lodging, and food 
expenses are beyond the reach of many NLD members.  When 
reminded of plans to open a branch American Center in 
Mandalay, the NLD chairman said, "That's a good idea.  It 
would be very helpful." 
 
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Burmese Hoosiers 
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5.  (C) The PAO also briefed the NLD leaders about the 
successful launch of another ESF-funded training program, a 
correspondence course enabling pro-democracy youth (who the 
regime would prohibit from traveling abroad) to earn Indiana 
University credits toward a college degree.  The chairman was 
pleased to hear that this project, specifically requested by 
NLD General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi, was up and running at 
the American Center.  He promised to try to get word to ASSK 
with this news, but he acknowledged, "I don't know when that 
might be." 
 
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ASSK Update 
----------- 
 
6.  (C) In passing Aung Shwe mentioned that ASSK's doctor, 
who was supposed to have access to her May 10, had in fact 
not gotten in to see her.  When emboffs pressed for details, 
Aung Shwe recounted that the police said the doctor could 
only visit at some specified time in the afternoon.  ASSK 
apparently objected, and the visit was cancelled.  When 
emboffs asked if ASSK knew about the recent bombings, the NLD 
leaders said they thought she listened to the radio.  They 
added that the party planned to mark her 60th birthday on 
June 19 by organizing a special donation of food to monks. 
 
7. (C) Comment:  Chairman Aung Shwe's decisive performance 
May 11 was a welcomed change from the lassitude we have often 
encountered at NLD HQ in Aung San Suu Kyi's absence.  His 
strongly voiced support for expanded ESF-funded democracy 
training programs inside Burma echoed Aung San Suu Kyi's 
previously expressed keen interest in these programs.  End 
comment. 
Martinez