US embassy cable - 02RANGOON1663

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 001663 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV 
USCINPAC FOR FPA 
BRUSSELS FOR USEU 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2012 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, BM, ASSK 
SUBJECT: ASSK HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE; CONDEMNS HARASSMENT 
IN RAKHINE STATE 
 
REF: RANGOON 1633 
 
Classified By: P/E Chief Paul Daley.  Reason: 1.5 (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary: At a press conference December 31, Aung San 
Suu Kyi continued to express "cautious optimism" about the 
possibility of political change in Burma in 2003, but 
complained about harassment during her recent trip to Rakhine 
State.  Post recommends that the Department support her 
comments with a statement that calls for change in Burma and 
for GOB action to protect the rights of political parties 
(see para 7 for suggested text of statement).  End Summary. 
 
2.  (U) In a year-ending press conference held at the NLD's 
Shwegondine headquarters in Rangoon, Aung San Suu Kyi 
complained about USDA harassment during her recent trip to 
Rakhine State, but continued to express cautious optimism 
about the possibility for political change in Burma in 2003. 
Overall, she said, there had been some good developments in 
Burma in 2002, but not as much as the country demands.  Some 
political prisoners had been released, but the NLD's position 
remained that all should be released immediately, without 
pre-conditions.  Similarly, the NLD had been able to open 
some (about 90) of its 300 township offices, but had not been 
allowed to open all that it was ready to open.  At the 
insistence of the authorities, some openings had been 
delayed.  By and large, she said, her travels in Burma had 
also gone well, with the cooperation of the authorities. 
However, her recent trip to Rakhine State, in particular, had 
been marred by disturbances instigated by the USDA and other 
semi-official organs of the government. 
 
3. (U) ASSK also said that she had been encouraged by the 
spirit of the Burmese people, but "saddened" by the state of 
the nation.  She had found, she said, a great sense of 
"national solidarity" and a general awareness of the need for 
change.  However, there was also a great concern about the 
state of the economy and about the plight of farmers, who 
were now obliged to sell a portion of their crop to the 
government at below market prices.  The Burmese people, she 
said, deserved a better standard of living and a better 
governance.  Hopefully, they would get both in 2003. 
 
4. (U) In response to questions, she provided some details 
about the harassment she had endured during the trip to 
Rakhine State.  One government minister (reportedly the 
Minister of Tourism Thein Zaw) had gone ahead to Mrauk Oo and 
other cities and had urged the people not to turn out for the 
NLD leaders.  The USDA, the Myanmar Red Cross, and the War 
Veterans had then cooperated to block off streets in many 
towns.  Other members of the USDA had distributed leaflets 
questioning ASSK's patriotism and loyalty because of her 
marriage to a foreigner.  Together, these actions showed, 
ASSK said, how some elements in the government felt about her 
travels.  NLD Spokesman U Lwin had been told in Rangoon that 
none of the harassment had been ordered by the SPDC and, she 
said, she was prepared to accept that; however, the 
harassment had plainly been coordinated at some level 
(perhaps the state level), since the same events occurred 
again and again throughout the trip. 
 
5. (U) In regard to her talks with the government, ASSK 
insisted that there was no dialogue.  There also was no 
confidence-building -- that was over.  Relations with the 
government, she said, were now in a "state of limbo."  She 
was prepared to join in a dialogue with the government at any 
time, with no preconditions.  However, it had to be a real 
dialogue, not a "show-piece." 
 
Comment 
 
6. (C) This was ASSK's second press conference since she was 
released in May.  Her intent was plainly to call attention to 
the events in Rakhine State and to suggest that the 
government may not be sincere in its dealings with her. 
While she was careful not to accuse the SPDC itself for any 
wrongdoing during her trip to Rakhine State, she made it very 
clear that she held them responsible for the state of the 
nation and the delays in the start of "real dialogue."  She 
was also plainly walking a fine line in all her comments -- 
never willing to actually breach whatever understandings she 
has with the government regarding political behavior, but, at 
the same time, making sure that everyone understood who the 
bad guys are in Burma. 
 
Action Recommended 
 
7. (C) Given ASSK's comments, post suggests that the 
Department make a statement of support for ASSK and the 
dialogue process.  The British Embassy has told us that they 
plan to recommend that their government (and the EU) also put 
out messages.  We leave it to the Department to work out the 
exact text (perhaps in coordination with the British), but 
something along the following lines might be appropriate. 
 
BEGIN TEXT: 
 
"In a press conference in Rangoon on December 31, Aung San 
Suu Kyi described the harassment to which she was subjected 
during her recent trip to Burma's Rakhine State.  While it is 
not clear who is responsible for the actions of semi-official 
government organizations like the Union Solidarity 
Development Agency, the War Veteran's Organization, and the 
Myanmar Red Cross, it is clear that efforts by 
government-affiliated groups to harass opposition party 
leaders cannot help a national reconciliation process to 
which the Burmese government itself has committed itself. 
The United States calls on the Government of Burma to ensure 
that all political parties can carry their message to the 
Burmese people in safety.  We also call on the State Peace 
and Development Council to join with the NLD and 
representatives of Burma's ethnic communities in a real 
dialogue regarding constitutional issues.  Change is needed 
in Burma.  As Aung San Suu Kyi said December 31, the Burmese 
people deserve a better government and a better standard of 
living.  Every effort should be made to see that they get 
both in 2003." 
 
END TEXT. 
Martinez