US embassy cable - 05RANGOON820

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000820 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV; PACOM FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PREL, BM, ASSK, NLD 
SUBJECT: NLD DECLARATION CALLS FOR ASSK RELEASE, DIALOGUE 
 
REF: RANGOON 646 
 
Classified By: A/DCM W. Patrick Murphy for Reasons 1.4 (b,d) 
 
1. (SBU) On July 5 the Embassy received a request from the 
National League for Democracy to deliver to U.S. 
Congressional leaders a declaration signed by 114 
Members-elect of Parliament calling for the unconditional 
release of all democracy activists (including Aung San Suu 
Kyi and U Tin Oo); a meaningful and substantive dialogue 
between the NLD and the SPDC; and the convening of 
Parliament. 
 
2. (C) The signed declaration is the result of a petition 
drive previewed by NLD leaders with Emboffs on May 26 and 
launched on May 27, the NLD's 15th anniversary commemorating 
the 1990 legislative election (reftel).  Given that the 
number of living and free MPs-elect resident in Burma has 
dwindled since 1990--and the repercussions for past efforts 
to convene Parliament--the petition was a fairly significant 
undertaking.  The NLD, however, has no expectation that the 
SPDC will respond favorably to any of the MPs' demands. 
 
3. (U) Begin text of letter (Post has pouched originals to 
EAP/BCLTV): 
 
29th June, 2005 
 
Dear Madame, 
 
The National League for Democracy collected signatures from 
the elected members of Parliament, regarding the declaration 
which is attached herewith.  This declaration was made on 
27th May, 2005 which was the 15th Anniversary of Multi Party 
Democracy Election. 
 
Appended is the list of signatures. 
 
Also enclosed are two envelopes on the same subject.  It will 
be very grateful if these enclosures be forwarded to (the) 
President of the Senate and to the Honorable Speaker of the 
House of Representative of the United States of America. 
 
Thanking you again. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
U Aung Shwe (Chairman) 
U Lwin (Secretary) 
 
End Text of Letter. 
 
4. (U) Begin Text of Declaration (as received): 
 
Demand of the Members of Parliament of the National League 
for Democracy 
 
Rangoon 
27th May, 2005 
 
The root cause of all the problems encountered in Burma 
to-day is the failure to fulfil the stipulations in the laws 
(e.g. not calling the Parliament) enacted in respect of the 
Multiparty Democracy Elections which had been freely and 
fairly held in 1990. 
 
In deference to the laws enacted by themselves and the 
principle of equality before the law and as a matter of 
respecting the will of the people, the State Peace and 
Development Council is: 
 
Ruthlessly suppressing the National League for Democracy and 
other democratic organizations in various ways; 
 
Detaining the leaders of the National League for Democracy 
and other democratic forces; 
 
Ignoring to solve the political problems by political means 
and; 
 
Trying to realize their own unilaterally formulated political 
road map; 
 
We firmly believe that the politically meaningful dialogue 
based on the principle of "clean slate" policy, as 
consistently called for by the National League for Democracy 
with the objectives of national reconciliation and 
establishment of a democratic state, is the best means to 
solve peacefully the current problems of the country. 
 
Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and unconditional 
release of all the democratic activists including U Tin Oo, 
the Vice Chairman and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary 
of the National League for Democracy, other ethnic leaders 
and nationalities who are detained under numerous fabricated 
reasons and we call for a meaningful and substantive dialogue 
between the National League for Democracy and the State Peace 
and Development Council and the convening of the Parliament. 
 
We, the undersigned, having read and understood all the 
above, the elected representatives of the People's Parliament 
put on our signatures below at our own free will and 
conscious mind without any coercion or intimidation from 
anybody. 
 
In accordance with the decision of the CEC of National League 
for Democracy on 23rd May, 2005 
 
(114 Signatures Appended) 
 
End Text of Declaration. 
 
Martinez