ASSK'S HOSPITAL STAY: DAY SIX

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 001187

SIPDIS

STATE ALSO FOR EAP/BCLTV; TREASURY FOR OASIA JEFF NEIL;
USPACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV BM ASSK
SUBJECT: ASSK'S HOSPITAL STAY: DAY SIX

REF: RANGOON 1171 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: COM Carmen Martinez for Reasons 1.5 (B,D)


1. (C) Summary: On September 23, ASSK's doctor again briefed
diplomats on her post-surgery recovery and reported that
biopsy reports indicated tissue removed during the operation
was non-malignant, but that surgery had been the only option
to address a "pre-cancerous" condition. Over 150 NLD
supporters assembled at the hospital today, braving a heavy
military intelligence presence with hand-written signs of
support for the NLD leader and the pro-democracy movement.
The Indonesian Embassy declined to give a briefing to
diplomats on the Alatas visit, or to affirm whether the envoy
has requested a meeting with ASSK. End summary.


2. (C) In a now daily routine, ASSK's personal physician, Dr.
Tin Myo Win, briefed us on September 23 at the Asia Royal
Cardiac Hospital where she is recuperating from September 19
surgery. At our request, and that of the British Embassy,
diplomats from the French, Italian, German, and Japanese
embassies joined us for the briefing. The enlarged
diplomatic group drew close scrutiny from SPDC military
intelligence officers who filmed the entire briefing.


3. (C) Dr. Tin Myo Win reported that ASSK is eating regular
meals and is medically capable of receiving visitors,
although he said "no one has yet been allowed to see her,
other than her physicians and military liaison officers."
The doctor said that many supporters had requested an
opportunity to see ASSK, but that as her physician he
believed it appropriate for only "one or two special guests"
to visit (Note: the doctor's implication was that he believes
ASSK would welcome a visit by Indonesian special envoy
Alatas, who is currently in Rangoon, and U.N. Special Envoy
Razali, who is expected in Burma on September 30. The
Italian Ambassador told us that he had contacted the
Indonesian Ambassador to seek a briefing on the Alatas visit
for E.U. (and U.S.) Embassies. His Indonesian counterpart
refused to say whether Alatas has requested a meeting with
ASSK and said he would consider giving a briefing on the
Alatas visit "after Bali." To this, the Italian Ambassador
responded to the Indonesian, "You must be joking." ASSK
confidante Leon de Riedmatten told us he got the same
reaction from the Indonesian Embassy. End note).


4. (C) Dr. Tin Myo Win told the assembled diplomats that he
had received post-surgery biopsy reports, which indicated
that the "organ" he had removed was non-malignant. However,
he added that he could not determine what specific disease
had afflicted ASSK and that surgery had been the only option
to address her "pre-cancerous" condition (Note: Dr. Tin Myo
Win will not reveal her specific malady, but media and local
sources speculate that ASSK had an emergency hysterectomy.
End note).


5. (C) Queried whether ASSK would be returned to detention,
Dr. Tin Myo Win said he had requested on medical grounds that
he have daily access to the NLD leader after she is
discharged from the hospital. He added that this would be
most easily accomplished at her home compound, but that this
decision would be made by the "authorities."


6. (C) Over 150 NLD supporters were peacefully assembled
today in front of the hospital while the diplomats met across
the street with ASSK's doctor (in the same automotive repair
shop used for previous briefings; see reftel). Most of the
supporters were holding small signs that wished ASSK a speedy
recovery, although several held photos of the democracy
leader and signs written in English that read "Freedom from
All Pain." (Note: Traditionally, such minor expressions of
protest have resulted in detention and long prison sentences.
End note.)


7. (C) Comment: We believe that ASSK's doctor is quietly
attempting to convince the SPDC to transfer her to house
arrest, rather than return her to detention at an undisclosed
military compound. Although our ultimate objective is her
complete release, house arrest would be a small step in the
right direction toward her eventual freedom. End comment.
Martinez