US embassy cable - 02RANGOON1587

UNCLAS RANGOON 001587 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PINS, BM 
SUBJECT: USDA TO IMPLEMENT SENIOR GENERAL,S PLAN 
 
 
1.  Summary: The Union Solidarity Development Association 
(USDA) finally held its annual general meeting on November 
15, about two months after it was initially expected. 
Apparently Senior General Than Shwe had to overcome 
resistence by some members before the event could be staged. 
The strong rhetoric of the meeting gave every indication that 
the Senior General is still determined that the organization 
will play a central role in the country's future. End Summary. 
 
2.  At its ninth annual general meeting the USDA declared 
itself resolute to stand as a "consolidated national force" 
and to shift from a "quantitative" to a "qualitative" power 
by selecting the "cream" from among its members to serve as 
leaders "in order to exist as long as the world does."  The 
USDA general meeting is usually held on September 15, the 
anniversary of the organization,s founding in 1993.  This 
year the general meeting was postponed, reportedly due to 
resistance from leaders who no longer wanted to participate. 
 
3.  According to local sources, members from 30 government 
offices resisted becoming "full-time" USDA officials on the 
grounds that they would lose their monthly government 
salaries.  (USDA is composed of a 
"voluntary" workforce).  After two months of discussions, the 
Patron of the USDA, SPDC Senior General Than Shwe, apparently 
overcame resistance by the newly "full-time" and unsalaried 
officials and held a four-day annual general meeting 
beginning on November 15. 
 
4.  Once the meeting went forward, key SPDC officers and 
members fell in line and showed their support for the USDA 
(and Than Shwe) by discussing development tasks for each of 
the seven sectors based on the state's "five-year plan." 
They also selected the most qualified of the 520 USDA 
delegates in attendance, "the cream," to lead groups 
addressing these development tasks.  The seven groups 
addressed the following tasks: economics, administration, 
organization, social, culture, education, and union 
development. 
 
5.  Key SPDC officials who attended the meeting were Senior 
General Than Shwe, USDA Central Executive Committee members 
(composed of ten SPDC ministers), representatives of the 
National Convention Convening Commission, the Office of the 
President, the Attorney General, the Chief Justice, the 
Auditor General, and Chairman of the Civil Service Selection 
Training Board.  The 520 delegates were USDA representatives 
of states, divisions, districts, and townships led by USDA 
General Secretary U Than Aung.  The meeting was somewhat 
similar in composition to a parliamentary convention, except 
there were no elected officials. 
 
6. The USDA meeting concluded with its members pledging their 
support for twelve objectives, three causes, and any 
"instructions" from Senior General Than Shwe.  A contingent 
of USDA members from high school sang the song "eternal 
union." 
 
7.  Comment:  The annual meeting appears to have affirmed 
that Senior General Than Shwe is continuing to move forward 
with the SPDC's plan for managing the country,s affairs. 
The strong rhetoric of the meeting gives every indication 
that the Senior General is determined that the USDA play a 
central role in the country,s future.  End Comment. 
Martinez