US embassy cable - 05RANGOON1046

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 001046 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV; PACOM FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PREL, EAID, BM, NLD 
SUBJECT: NLD UNDER RENEWED HARASSMENT, URGES U.S. PRESSURE 
 
Classified By: CDA Shari Villarosa for Reasons 1.4 (b,d) 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY:  NLD leaders told the Charge during a 
September 12 introductory call that GOB authorities had 
recently increased pressure on senior party officials, 
leading the NLD to actively avoid giving the SPDC any pretext 
to crack down on upcoming party events.  At the same time, 
the GOB has eased up its intimidation of some rank and file 
members, but the NLD says this is a result of lingering 
confusion following the demise of the regime's military 
intelligence, as well as the SPDC's preoccupation with its 
own "internal problems."  NLD leaders encouraged the United 
States to maintain its current approach (of pressure) and 
expressed displeasure with those who advocate engagement with 
the regime.  END SUMMARY. 
 
RENEWED PRESSURE ON LEADERS 
 
2. (SBU) On September 12, the Charge, joined by P/E chief, 
made an introductory call on senior leaders of the National 
League for Democracy's Central Executive Committee (NLD CEC). 
 Representing the CEC at the meeting, which took place at the 
NLD's Rangoon headquarters, were Secretary U Lwin and senior 
economist U Nyunt Wei.  After the call, the Charge also 
greeted CEC member U Than Tun as well as several dozen 
regional party leaders and members. 
 
3. (C) U Lwin said that NLD leaders had recently experienced 
renewed pressure from GOB authorities.  As a result, the 
party is actively avoiding giving the regime any pretext to 
disrupt the NLD's September 27 anniversary commemoration.  In 
this context, U Lwin noted, he had advised NLD Chairman U 
Aung Shwe, who often represents the NLD in meetings with 
senior diplomats, to stay at home for "a rest."  (Note: The 
NLD frequently makes minor accommodations to forestall a 
serious SPDC crackdown on party leaders; however, we don't 
recall many instances in which regime pressure has led CEC 
members to miss an opportunity to meet with U.S. diplomats. 
End Note.) 
 
RENEWED SPACE FOR RANK AND FILE, BUT NOT BY DESIGN 
 
4. (C) U Lwin said that in contrast to pressure on NLD 
leaders, the GOB was "not too tough" on party members in 
recent months.  In particular, he said, authorities had been 
more tolerant of NLD activities in Mandalay, Magwe, and 
Sagaing Divisions--previously targets for the regime's most 
abusive posture toward the NLD (including the May 2003 attack 
on ASSK and her convoy).  U Lwin said this "softening" was 
not a sign of greater freedom for the NLD, but rather a 
result of lingering confusion in the aftermath of the 
dismantling of former PM Khin Nyunt's military intelligence 
apparatus.  U Lwin also opined that the SPDC was preoccupied 
with "internal problems," stemming in part from SPDC Chairman 
Than Shwe's declining health related, he said, to treatment 
for diabetes. 
 
PRESSURE, NOT ENGAGEMENT 
 
5. (C) The Charge asked the NLD leaders about their views on 
the recent Wilton Park meeting on Burma hosted by the British 
Government.  U Lwin said that the NLD had been unable to 
attend due to a lack of access to passports and other travel 
documents, and he observed that conference organizers had 
been unable to secure the participation of "true 
representatives" of the democratic opposition.  U Nyunt Wei 
said that the NLD "is happy that folks are concerned about 
Burma's future, but we (here inside the country) are living 
in the present." 
 
6. (C) When asked for NLD positions on U.S. Burma policy, U 
Nyunt Wei said the party "would like the United States to 
maintain its current approach (of pressure)."  He noted that 
the NLD had been quite displeased with an EU-sponsored 
conference earlier this year at which various academics had 
advocated engagement with the SPDC "simply because the 
military is entrenched and should therefore be tolerated." 
What is really needed, said U Nyunt Wie, is that the 
international community demand the SPDC "liberalize" by 
releasing ASSK and other political prisoners, opening 
political party offices, and starting a dialogue leading to 
national reconciliation.  U Nyunt Wei specifically omitted 
"democracy" as a part of the liberalization, saying that this 
topic was for the political dialogue. 
 
7. (C) The Charge noted that the current use of pressure--to 
demand the immediate and unconditional release of ASSK and 
other political prisoners, permit political parties to freely 
operate, and foster a broad, inclusive national 
reconciliation process--enjoyed broad, bipartisan support in 
Washington.  When U Nyunt Wei observed that it was a question 
of "will" in standing up to the SPDC, the Charge assured him 
that support for Burma's democratic opposition remains 
strong, citing recent references to the Burma situation by 
both President Bush and Secretary Rice. 
GLOBAL FUND 
8. (C) The NLD leaders also raised the recent decision of the 
Global Fund to terminate its Burma programs and asked about 
follow-up plans to deliver humanitarian assistance.  The 
Charge noted that the Fund had pulled out of Burma because 
the GOB had reneged on promises to allow adequate access, 
observing that it was unfortunate the regime placed such a 
low priority on development and the eradication of serious 
diseases. 
 
9. (U) U Lwin closed the meeting by offering his condolences 
for the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina.  "I've been 
to New Orleans several times," said the NLD Secretary, "and I 
am shocked by the impact of this natural disaster."  (Note: 
NLD Chairman U Aung Shwe sent the Embassy a letter of 
condolence on September 6, which has been faxed to EAP/MLS. 
End Note.) 
 
COMMENT:  SIX YEARS LATER 
 
10. (C)  The Charge recalls meeting U Lwin, U Nyunt Wei, and 
two other NLD "Uncles" during an official visit to Burma six 
years ago.  At the time, they seemed vigorous and engaged. 
During this meeting, they seemed beaten down with low 
expectations for change.  We are one of the few diplomatic 
missions to regularly visit the NLD's headquarters and we 
will continue to search for other ways to boost spirits.  END 
COMMENT. 
 
Villarosa