PROVISIONING ASSK, MORE ARRESTS, AND PRISONER

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 001612

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV; PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2014
TAGS: PHUM KDEM BM ASSK NLD
SUBJECT: PROVISIONING ASSK, MORE ARRESTS, AND PRISONER
RELEASES

REF: A. RANGOON 1591

B. RANGOON 1587

C. RANGOON 1552

D. RANGOON-BCLTV EMAIL 12/20/04

Classified By: COM Carmen Martinez for Reasons 1.4 (b,d)

PROVISIONING ASSK


1. (C) As of December 20, new arrangements for ensuring Aung
San Su Kyi's (ASSK) access to food reportedly had been
instituted. A designated individual who has served a similar
role in the past is to bring food for ASSK and the two women
who remain with her in the compound each morning at 0900
hours. Provisions are to be dropped off at the compound
gate. No correspondence or communication will be allowed
between this individual and anyone at ASSK's residence (i.e.,
a grocery list). Prior to allowing this arrangement to
proceed, a Special Branch Officer located at the compound
required the individual buying and transporting ASSK's
groceries to fill out a personal history questionnaire
identifying his name, address and the names and addresses of
family members, this despite his history as having served in
this capacity first in 1995 and most recently in the
aftermath of the regime-orchestrated May 30th attack on ASSK
and her supporters. We anticipate that this new arrangement
will proceed without interference.

MORE ARRESTS


2. (C) Separately, four former NLD members (Ba Tint, Ba
Myint, Aung Moe San and Ma Theingi) were arrested in Rangoon
on December 19 for being in possession of and/or having
written "objectionable material" (NFI). The four individuals
all were part of a group of 20 NLD members who were suspended
by the NLD Central Executive Committee (CEC) in September
after taking part in an unauthorized demonstration outside
the UNDP office (ref C). Although there have been prior
arrests (two separate) instances in other divisions this
month, these are the first arrests of pro-democracy activists
in Rangoon.


PRISONER RELEASES


3. (C) On December 12, 6 NLD youth members (Aung Myo Win,
Nyi Nyi Naing, Myo Aung, Soe Than, Aung Myat Min and Soe Moe)
were released from Mawlamyaing Prison after serving seven
years. Of the 14,218 prisoners the GOB claims it has
released in three tranches since November 18, approximately
80 can reasonably be described as security detainees of some
sort, including perhaps 50 straightforward political
prisoners.
MARTINEZ