SPDC LIFTS HOUSE ARREST RESTRICTIONS FOR FIVE NLD

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 001518

SIPDIS

STATE ALSO FOR EAP/BCLTV; USPACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/23/2013
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BM NLD
SUBJECT: SPDC LIFTS HOUSE ARREST RESTRICTIONS FOR FIVE NLD
LEADERS


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


1. (C) Summary: On November 23 and 24, the SPDC lifted house
arrest restrictions imposed upon five senior NLD leaders.
NLD members welcome the news that five of the "Uncles" have
been released; however, the party's four core leaders,
including ASSK, remain under SPDC-imposed isolation. The
Department should welcome the lifting of restrictions for the
five CEC members, but continue to insist on full freedom for
remaining NLD leaders, the release of detained party members,
and the release of all political prisoners. End Summary.


2. (U) On November 23 and 24, Burma's military regime, the
SPDC, quietly lifted house arrest restrictions on five
members of the NLD's Central Executive Committee (CEC).
Authorities had placed the five leaders -- U Nyunt Wei, U
Than Tun, U Hla Pe, U Soe Myint, and U Lun Tun -- under house
arrest in the aftermath of the May 30 assault on Aung San Suu
Kyi (ASSK) and her NLD convoy. Remaining CEC members ASSK
(General Secretary),U Lwin (Spokesman),and U Aung Swe
(Chairman) continue to be held under house arrest while NLD
Vice Chairman, and CEC member, U Tin Oo remains imprisoned in
a Sagaing Division jail.


3. (C) Three of the "released" CEC members -- U Than Tun, U
Nyunt Wei, and U Hla Pe -- met together on November 24 to
take stock of recent developments and to consider next steps
for the NLD. According to the three, SPDC Brigadier General
Than Tun, head of the regime's military intelligence
political department, visited each of the NLD leaders' homes
on November 23 to inform them individually that all
"security" restrictions had been lifted. The NLD's U Than
Tun pressed Brigadier General Than Tun on the release of
remaining CEC members and was told to "be patient." However,
the general apparently intimated that he had forgotten about
U Lun Tun, who was subsequently released on November 24.


4. (C) The SPDC informed the released CEC members that they
are free to associate and engage in political activities, but
that NLD offices will remain shuttered. U Than Tun told us
that his house will serve as de facto party headquarters for
the foreseeable future. The CEC's immediate objectives,
according to the freed leaders, include seeking the release
of remaining CEC members and pursuing plans to reopen NLD
offices.


5. (C) On November 24, we stopped by U Nyunt Wei's house for
a visit. Family members told us he was out enjoying his new
found freedom and we saw no signs of military intelligence or
police surveillance at his compound, unlike our attempted
visit on November 3 when MI thugs blocked our path and
forcibly pushed U Nyunt Wei back behind his gate. We also
met on November 24 with second tier NLD leaders who had
secretly convened a rump NLD leadership council just one week

SIPDIS
ago to consider next steps for the party. However, with news
that senior NLD leaders are back on the active roster, the
mid-level members have mutually agreed to back down and
"await instructions" from the party hierarchy.


6. (C) Comment: Freedom for half of the NLD's senior
leadership is welcome news. However, the party's four core
leaders remain under SPDC-imposed isolation. Post recommends
that the Department welcome the lifting of restrictions for
the five CEC members, but continue to insist on full freedom
for remaining NLD leaders, the release of NLD members
detained in connection to the May 30 attack, and the release
of all political prisoners. End comment.
Martinez