SPDC REJECTS CEASE-FIRE GROUPS' NC APPEAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000601

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV; USPACOM FOR FPA
COMMERCE FOR ITA JEAN KELLY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2014
TAGS: PGOV PINS BM
SUBJECT: SPDC REJECTS CEASE-FIRE GROUPS' NC APPEAL

REF: RANGOON 600

Classified By: COM Carmen M. Martinez for Reasons 1.4 (B,D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: The SPDC rejected an 11th hour appeal from
Burma's eight largest cease-fire groups on May 12 to allow
free discussions during the National Convention. The SPDC's
reported response on May 13 stated the Prime Minister is
upset the cease-fire groups don't want the military involved
in the political process. The PM pointed out that in fact
the military will only be a minority of 100 in the new
400-member parliament. In the end, on May 14 the cease-fire
groups headed off to the convention site as planned. END
SUMMARY.


2. (C) Eight cease-fire groups submitted a joint letter May
12 to the Chairman of the National Convention Convening
Commission, Secretary-1 Lt Gen Thein Sein, asking for
amendment of the draft constitution's six political
objectives, which they described as "unsuited for the
peoples' wishes for a democratic process." The letter also
asked for amendment of the 104 principles, which they see as
"incompatible with democratic reforms," and for the promise
of free discussion with any individual or organization during
the upcoming National Convention.


3. (C) In reply, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt
reportedly sent the SPDC's chief ethnic armed group
negotiator Col San Pwint to tell the cease-fire groups that
the Prime Minister is "upset" that the cease-fire groups want
the military to stay out of politics, especially after he has
done so much for them. The PM believes the letter was "not
written intentionally," and feels there is a misunderstanding
regarding the military's role in politics. The PM's envoy
claimed that with just 100 out of the 400 seats in the
parliament, the military will only have a minority platform
in politics. The Prime Minister hoped the cease-fire groups
would remain within the good graces of the government.


4. (C) COMMENT: In the early afternoon on May 14 the
cease-fire groups, despite their misgivings about procedures,
made their way to the Convention site prepared to participate
on May 17. They continue to aspire to overturn the six
objectives and 104 principles, or at least to fix a timeline
for phasing the military out of the legislature and
government. However, without the participation of the NLD
and the SNLD (ref),there are far fewer critical voices to
add to theirs. END COMMENT.
Martinez