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