AUNG SAN SUU KYI THANKS AMERICA FOR ITS SUPPORT,

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 001343

SIPDIS

PASS TO USAID

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2014
TAGS: PREL EAID BM ASSK NLD
SUBJECT: AUNG SAN SUU KYI THANKS AMERICA FOR ITS SUPPORT,
SEEKS ASSISTANCE FOR NLD-RUN SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS

Classified By: CHIEF OF MISSION CARMEN MARTINEZ FOR REASON 1.4 (B/D)



1. (C) SUMMARY: Aung San Suu Kyi sent a verbal message via a
trusted Burmese confidante to us October 8 to: A) thank the
U.S. for its continued strong support of democracy in Burma,
B) warn that "some in the UN system are seeking to undermine
America,s efforts in Burma," and C) seek USG support for
NLD-sponsored social welfare programs. End Summary.


2. (C) Emboff met a Burmese confidante of Aung San Suu Kyi on
October 8. This source, one of three or four people who can
enter and leave ASSK's housing compound regularly, requested
the meeting. He stated that Aung San Suu Kyi had provided
him with a very specific message to pass verbally, noting
that for security reasons she preferred not to send a written
note at this time.


3. (C) First, Aung San Suu Kyi sent her profound thanks for
the staunch support by the American government and people for
the cause of democracy in Burma, the contact said. Aung San
Suu Kyi said that the U.S. has shown itself to be a true and
close friend of Burma, he added.


4. (C) Second, ASSK sent a warning, not further amplified,
that she has learned that some officials in the United Nation
system are working against U.S. objectives in Burma. (For
potential context, see sensitive reporting in other channels.)


5. (C) Third, she asked for USG support for NLD social
welfare programs. She specified four types of programs for
which she sought U.S. support: pencils and notebooks for
students, medicines, support for the elderly, and continued
support for the Embassy-run Professional Development Program
(PDP) aimed at building next-generation leadership potential
among NLD officials. The contact also mentioned support for
the families of political prisoners.


6. (C) Since the NLD as a party is forbidden from receiving
outside assistance under Burmese law and refuses to do so on
principle, we discussed potential delivery mechanisms should
support for ASSK's suggested programs be forthcoming. One
idea posited was that ASSK might nominate non-NLD individuals
as cutouts to receive assistance and funnel it on to the NLD.
(Note: This approach has been used successfully in the
recent past. End Note.) The contact said he,d discuss this
in detail with Aung San Suu Kyi at the earliest opportunity
and get back to us. We added that some sort of handwritten
request, even if not addressed directly to us for security,s
sake, would be desirable prior to the start of any such
assistance.


7. (C) COMMENT: ASSK,s verbal message was likely in
response to at least three queries we have stealthily
delivered to her in recent months seeking her views on ways
the USG might assist the pro-democracy movement. We were a
bit surprised by her comments on PDP, as the initial batch of
NLD trainees she nominated has completed its course of study
and we are still waiting for an NLD response to our repeated
inquiries regarding a potential second batch of participants.
Aung San Suu Kyi knows that the NLD, which is at very low
ebb, needs to provide something positive to its members and
supporters - if not democracy and a better life immediately,
then at least pencils and paper for their children and
perhaps some medicine for the ill. This is the first direct
message we have received from her since April. End Comment.

Martinez