LOCAL NLD PUBLICLY SUPPORTS SANCTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000966

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV, EB/ESC/ESP
COMMERCE FOR ITA JEAN KELLY
TREASURY FOR OASIA JEFF NEIL
USPACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2013
TAGS: PGOV ETRD BM NLD
SUBJECT: LOCAL NLD PUBLICLY SUPPORTS SANCTIONS

REF: A. RANGOON 950

B. RANGOON 949

C. RANGOON 921

D. RANGOON 889

Classified By: COM CARMEN MARTINEZ FOR REASONS 1.5 (B,D)


1. (C) We received a letter dated July 29, addressed to
President Bush and signed by sixteen rank and file Rangoon
Division members of the National League for Democracy (NLD).
A translation of the letter and a copy of the original has
been pouched to EAP/BCLTV.


2. (C) The letter offered thanks to the President, the
Congress, and the Senate for "keeping a conscientious watch
over the democratic forces of Burma..." and expressed
wholehearted support for the Burmese Freedom and Democracy
Act and the Executive Order. The letter also promised that
the signatories would "join hands in democratic activities
not only for Burma, but also for the world."


3. (C) This seemingly independent and brave move by local NLD
members to show their support for the sanctions reflects the
general support for sanctions expressed to us by most average
Burmese. Most educated Burmese, not involved in business,
with whom we spoke have agreed that this government cannot
understand anything but pressure, and that a certain amount
of pain is acceptable in the pursuit of democratic change.
Even businesspeople facing the full brunt of economic
sanctions privately accede that the SPDC is fully to blame
for the country's economic and political mess and they can
understand the U.S. policy to take strong action. The
beleaguered merchants add, though, that they sincerely hope
the U.S. policy objectives can soon be attained before too
much damage is done to the economy and Burmese workers.
Martinez