ASSK GIVES PRESS A DOWNBEAT ASSESSMENT OF HER YEAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000484

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV
USPACOM FOR FPA
USUN FOR TWINING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2012
TAGS: PREL PHUM BM ASSK
SUBJECT: ASSK GIVES PRESS A DOWNBEAT ASSESSMENT OF HER YEAR
OF FREEDOM

Classified By: COM CARMEN M. MARTINEZ FOR REASON 1.5(D).


1. (SBU) Summary: Aung San Suu Kyi told reporters and
diplomats April 23 that her trips to various regions of the
country reassured her that ethnic groups are anxious for
national reconciliation. She provided details on how the
trips had been marred by attempts to intimidate NLD
supporters. ASSK also said there has been no progress on her
dialogue with the SPDC and that relations have actually
"digressed" somewhat. It is becoming clear, she said, that
the SPDC is simply not interested in national reconciliation.
She reiterated that basic NLD policies - on tourism,
sanctions, investment assistance - will not change until
there is real dialogue; however, the NLD stands ready to
cooperate on humanitarian assistance. Publicly critical of
the regime for the first time since her release, ASSK
appeared to be ratcheting up the pressure, if only slightly,
for the regime to act on commitments for political
transition. End Summary.

One-year Assessment


2. (SBU) In a press conference on April 23 at NLD
headquarters, Aung San Suu Kyi provided an assessment of
events since her release from house detention almost one year
ago, on May 6, 2002. She divided her remarks into two
general themes: her travels around the country; and the
status of NLD relations with the regime. Her travels, she
said, had demonstrated that the ethnic groups continue to
have a strong desire to work toward national reconciliation
if given a chance to participate in a "true union" of Burma.
She also cited examples, however, of how the trips have been
marred by authorities harassing her party and intimidating
people interested in seeing her. Photos of her recent visit
to Chin State were on display showing, among other things,
the large crowds that turned out and the six offices that she
opened. Also shown were photos of large logs laid across the
road to impede her progress by Union Solidarity and
Development Association (USDA) members and a group of USDA
members who confronted her party on several occasions. ASSK
said that it was obvious that the USDA and Ministry officials
who visited Chin State to discourage people from turning out
for her visit were under orders from Rangoon. She called on
the SPDC to clarify the role of the USDA and explain why it
has the power to take such actions if it is, as is claimed,
only a social and welfare organization.

No Progress On Reconciliation


3. (SBU) ASSK said it was very disappointing that since her
release last May, the SPDC has not made any attempts to move
forward with discussions on national reconciliation. She
said that her release was supposed to mark a shift from
confidence building to more substantive exchanges including
discussions on national reconciliation. Instead, relations
have been static and the SPDC seems to want to avoid any
motion towards national reconciliation. ASSK made the
analogy of a child making excuses for not taking a bath;
after a point it becomes clear that the child just does not
want the bath. She said that, based on the SPDC's continued
avoidance of discussions on national reconciliation the NLD
has had to conclude that the regime is just not interested.


4. (SBU) ASSK honed in on the insincerity of the SPDC's
claims that it wants national reconciliation by noting that
there has been no mention of the NLD or the SPDC's actions
towards the party in the local media. The regime's comments
on reconciliation are always directed at the international
press and diplomats, she claimed, indicating that the
comments are intended only to mitigate international
criticism. She called on the SPDC to explain why it has
never published any reports on confidence building, her
trips, or national reconciliation, in the local press.


5. (SBU) ASSK also took the SPDC to task for its poor
treatment of UN Special Envoy Razali, noting that if the
authorities were serious about achieving reconciliation they
would not restrict his travel to or activities within Burma.
Specifically, ASSK said the SPDC should not have blocked
Razali from visiting her in Taunggyi (Shan State) in November
2002 or delayed his visits to the country, as they are
reportedly currently doing.

Policies Will Not Change Without Dialogue; Offer Stands For
Cooperation On Assistance


6. (SBU) ASSK reiterated that with no dialogue on national
reconciliation, the NLD will not change its basic policies on
tourism, investment, sanctions, and assistance. She noted
that the NLD has continued to make it known that it would
like to cooperate with the SPDC on humanitarian assistance
projects but, even on high visibility problems such as
HIV/AIDS, the authorities have indicated "they are not
interested in working together."


7. (SBU) In response to a question from an Australian
reporter (ABC) on the Australian government's decision to
move toward engagement with the SPDC while the EU and U.S.
appear to be heading toward tighter sanctions, ASSK said she
had clearly communicated her disappointment to the Australian
government on its shift in policy. She said the SPDC needs
to be reminded that maintaining the status quo is not
possible, change is inevitable and they should not attempt to
block it (noting that as Buddhists they should know and
accept this).


8. (C) Comment: This was a more confrontational approach
from ASSK than we have seen since confidential talks began in
October 2000. The lack of progress on dialogue one year
after her release from house detention, coupled with
continued and perhaps more systematic harassment on her trips
around the country, apparently prompted a slight shift in
strategy. Still, she was somewhat cautious in her remarks
and reiterated several times that there are no personal
animosities between her and the SPDC and that she wants to
work together for national reconciliation. She appeared to
be ratcheting up the pressure, albeit only slightly, for the
regime to act on previous commitments for political
transition. We expect the regime will respond shortly with a
press conference of its own. End Comment.
Martinez