NLD SHUT DOWN; AUNG SAN SUU KYI WHEREABOUTS STILL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000639

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV
CDR USPACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2013
TAGS: PGOV PINS PREL BM ASSK NLD
SUBJECT: NLD SHUT DOWN; AUNG SAN SUU KYI WHEREABOUTS STILL
UNKNOWN

REF: RANGOON 636

Classified By: COM Carmen Martinez. Reason: 1.5 (d).


1. (C) Summary: The NLD has been effectively shut down in
Burma. Its offices have been closed and its senior leaders
are under detention. Aung San Suu Kyi has been brought back
to Rangoon, ostensibly for "her own protection," but it is
not clear yet where she is being held. Universities, which
were scheduled to re-open today for the new semester, have
been kept closed by the government. Reportedly, a curfew has
been imposed in Mon Ywa in Sagaing Division in northwest
Burma, but the situation is quiet in Rangoon, with no signs
of additional security beyond a few additional MI
surveillance teams. End Summary.

Aung San Suu Kyi


2. (U) Aung San Suu Kyi has been brought back to Rangoon, but
it is not clear where she is being held. Speculation
suggests that she may be either at Insein Prison, where
special quarters were built for her during the late 1990s, or
at the police camp in Htaukyant where NLD Vice Chairman U Tin
Oo was held during his latest detention in 2000. No
diplomats or international press have seen ASSK since she was
detained "for her own protection" on May 30. We have been
able to confirm that NLD Chairman U Aung Shwe and NLD
spokesman U Lwin are under detention in their homes. U
Lwin's daughter told us today that U Lwin saw the Chief of
Mission, the British Charge' and the Italian and German
Ambassador's, when they attempted to visit him on June 1, and
appreciated the visit

NLD Offices


3. (U) All NLD state and township offices have been closed
and sealed throughout Burma. According to NLD party workers,
none have been left open. However, no NLD party workers
beyond ASSK, the central committee members and those picked
up in Depeyin have been detained.

NLD Version of Events in Depeyin


4. (C) Some NLD party workers have suggested that the riot in
Depeyin was the result of a pre-planned government ambush.
Supposedly, the NLD had received notice days before the riot
that the government planned to stage an attack in Depeyin
using convicts released from Mandalay Prison. Reportedly,
the tactics used by the rioters matched the reports received
by the NLD.

Universities and Secondary Schools


5. (U) Most universities were advised last night that the
next school semester will start June 16, rather than June 2.
Today, only the medical colleges were open and operating.
Secondary schools have also been closed for the month of
June, though the government has attributed that closure,
which was announced in late May, to a fear of SARS, rather
than the recent political events.

Curfews and Marshal law


6. (U) Rangoon is quiet. While military intelligence has put
some additional surveillance teams on the street, presumably
to check the public mood, there is no sign of increased
security. In the north, a curfew has reportedly been imposed
in Mon Ywa, though we have not been able to confirm this as
yet.

Diplomatic Pressure


7. (C) We sent a follow-up note to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs today asking for meetings with the Ministers of
Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs and Information to discuss the
incidents in the north and ASSK's detention. (Copies of these
notes have been faxed to EAP/BCLTV.) As yet, the Ministry
has not responded to our requests. The Japanese Ambassador
told us that his government had called in the Burmese DCM in
Tokyo; similarly, the British called in the Burmese
Ambassador in London.

8. (C) The Japanese Ambassador has asked for meetings with
Secretary 1, the Foreign Minister and the Home Minister, thus

SIPDIS
far without success. The Home Minister, in fact, cancelled
out of a dinner which the Japanese Ambassador had scheduled
for June 1. The Japanese Ambassador indicated that he
intends to deliver a demarche which makes clear that the
Japanese government "cannot tolerate" the detention of Aung
San Suu Kyi and the closure of the NLD offices.

Press Coverage


9. (U) The official press has gone quiet on the clashes
between NLD and regime supporters. After two days of stories
regarding the riot in Depeyin, there was nothing in Monday's
official Burmese press. However, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs announced late today that it will hold a briefing for
diplomats tomorrow.

Comment


10. (C) The bottom line right now is that the NLD has been
shut down. Its offices have been closed and its senior
leadership, including Aung San Suu Kyi, is under detention.
The only question is how severe and how extended this new
bout of repression will be. So far, all the signs suggest
that democratic forces in Burma may be in for long, hard
period ahead. End Summary.
Martinez