US embassy cable - 02RANGOON1254

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 001254 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV 
CINCPAC FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2012 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, BM, Ethnics, NLD 
SUBJECT: STRONG ETHNIC SHOWING AT NLD'S 14TH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 
Classified By: COM CARMEN M. MARTINEZ FOR REASON 1.5(D). 
 
1. (SBU) Summary:  Amidst strong support from Western 
diplomats and ethnic representatives the NLD celebrated its 
14th anniversary on September 27 in downtown Rangoon.  NLD 
leaders called for the SPDC to enter into dialogue without 
delay for the benefit of the country.  An array of leaders 
from ethnic parties pledged to continue working hand in hand 
with the NLD.  End Summary. 
 
2. (SBU) The NLD celebrated its 14th anniversary on September 
27 with a ceremony at its headquarters in downtown Rangoon. 
Approximately 500 people attended the ceremony, including NLD 
members, ethnic party leaders, Ambassadors from the United 
States, Australia, Britain, France, and Germany, staff from 
the Indian, Japanese, and Norwegian embassies (ASEAN 
countries were notably absent), the WHO country 
representative, UNICEF staff, and local press. 
 
3. (SBU) NLD General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi gave a brief 
keynote address saying that on her recent trips around the 
country she has seen that people lack security.  She stated 
that the SPDC should not try to break the people but work for 
their benefit and the benefit of the country.  On a 
conciliatory note, she said that the NLD wants to work for 
the "national cause," calling on the SPDC to join hands with 
the NLD to enjoy the fruits of democracy. 
 
4. (SBU) NLD Vice Chairman U Tin Oo then read a lengthy 
statement recounting the origins of the party in 1988 and 
what it stood for then and still stands for today i.e., that 
sovereignty descends from the people, that human dignity is 
not to be crushed under foot, that free and fair elections 
must be held, that the rights of minorities must be 
respected, and that there must be equality before the law. 
He then gave a brief historical overview of the 1990 
elections, the SLORC's "failure to honor" the election 
results, and subsequent problems with the National 
Convention. He noted that it is imperative to have a 
practicing democracy to solve the political, economic, 
social, educational, and health problems of Burma and 
challenged the SPDC to work together with the NLD for the 
benefit of the people. 
 
5. (SBU) Turning up the heat just a little, U Tin Oo recalled 
that upon ASSK's release in May the SPDC declared that it was 
"opening a new historic page," noting that these words can 
only be meaningful if there is dialogue between the SPDC and 
NLD.  He clarified that there has been no dialogue yet, 
neither a "defacto" dialogue nor a "low-level" dialogue, and 
said the SPDC must have the will to engage in dialogue.  He 
called for the release of all political prisoners "without 
any further delay" and said the NLD's policies on the results 
of the 1990 election, the National Convention which started 
in 1993, the drawing of the National Constitution, foreign 
investment, and tourism will remain unchanged until there is 
substantive and meaningful dialogue. 
 
6. (SBU) The leaders of virtually all prominent, and some 
obscure, ethnic political parties were in attendance and 
several took the podium to read letters of felicitation and 
to pledge their support to the NLD and Aung San Suu Kyi. 
Leaders from the Shan State Kokang Democratic Party, the 
United Nationalities League for Democracy, the Mon National 
Democratic Front, the Kamans National League for Democracy, 
the United Nationalities Alliance, and the 23 Veterans group 
read letters of support for the NLD.  Sitting with the NLD 
Central Executive Committee were leaders from the Mon, Zomi 
(Chin), Arakan, Shan, Karen, Kachin, and Karenni parties 
represented in the 1990 elections.  U Aye Tha Aung, the 
Arakan League for Democracy leader who serves as Secretary on 
the Committee Representing the Peoples' Parliament, was also 
in attendence. 
 
7. (C)  Comment:  The NLD, and particularly Aung San Suu Kyi, 
continued to call for political progress in a 
non-confrontational manner.  They noted the urgent need for 
political change to address growing problems in the country 
without putting the blame on the SPDC for the deteriorating 
conditions.  Unfortunately, it does not look like the 
non-confrontational approach is bearing fruit, and it will be 
difficult to sustain over the long run without some progress. 
 Clearly the most significant aspect of the ceremony was the 
support shown by the ethnic parties.  Not only did they show 
up in force at the event, they publicly stated that they are 
working hand in hand with the NLD and would continue to do 
so.  This strengthens the NLD's claim that it enjoys the 
support of the ethnic groups.  Whether it works to encourage 
or discourage the SPDC to enter into dialogue, time will 
tell.  End Comment. 
Martinez