RAZALI AND THE NLD VIDEOTAPE

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 001462 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2013 TAGS: PREL PHUM BM MY ASSK NLD SUBJECT: RAZALI AND THE NLD VIDEOTAPE REF: KUALA LUMPUR 7484 Classified By: COM Carmen Martinez for Reasons 1.5 (B,D) ¶1. (C) Reftel indicated that UN Special Envoy Razali had requested a copy of the NLD videotape of the May 2003 ASSK convoy in northern Burma. His intention to provide the tape to certain international journalists as a way to bring external pressure on the SPDC would fulfill a request by ASSK, as we understand it, through NLD intermediaries. ¶2. (C) We would be happy to pouch a copy of the videotape to Embassy KL. We note that the tape is primarily raw footage of the convoy and of various ASSK and NLD speeches, all in Burmese. Shots of large crowds of supporters that number in the tens of thousands and scenes of aggressive MI and USDA thugs are visually very powerful. However, we believe it would be most effective for an Embassy Rangoon officer to brief Razali during a viewing of the tape. In addition to the speeches and chants in Burmese, the tape includes numerous posters and signs written in Burmese as well as footage of monks, pro-NLD villagers, anti-NLD protesters, and GOB handlers that create a subtle, yet crucial, sub-text to the convoy story. ¶3. (C) We would suggest that Embassy KL communicate to Razali our offer to brief him on the videotape. The most convenient opportunity to do so would be if Razali plans to be in Bangkok again soon, or during his next visit to Rangoon. Should neither opportunity be a short-term possibility, we could also send a briefing officer to KL with the videotape in hand. Martinez