NLD CRITICIZES REGIME'S SELF-IMPOSED ISOLATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 001095 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2015 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BM NLD SUBJECT: NLD CRITICIZES REGIME'S SELF-IMPOSED ISOLATION REF: A. RANGOON 1046 ¶B. RANGOON 847 Classified By: CDA Shari Villarosa for Reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Observing that Burma "cannot stand or live in isolation in today's world," Burma's leading opposition political party, the National League for Democracy, commemorated its 17th anniversary by roundly criticizing the military regime for refusing to cooperate with the United Nations. The party demanded the release of NLD and ethnic party leaders, as well as all political prisoners, and the immediate opening of NLD offices. The NLD's criticism comes on the heels of a party endorsement of international efforts to convince the UN Security Council to address the Burma situation and a reiteration of the NLD's implicit support for sanctions. Such gestures give relevance to the beleaguered pro-democracy movement. End Summary. COME OUT OF YOUR SHELL -------------- ¶2. (U) The NLD commemorated its 17th anniversary on September 27 with a traditional statement and speeches delivered at the party's Rangoon headquarters. About 200 party members and supporters attended, as well as members of the diplomatic corps. As was the case at the party's Martyrs' Day celebration in July (ref B),the Charge and the UN resident coordinator Charles Petrie were the only chiefs of mission in attendance. The British, German, and French embassies sent mid-level representatives. ¶3. (U) In a lengthy statement, the NLD criticized the Burmese military regime for refusing to adhere to recommendations issued by the United Nations, citing various UNGA and UNCHR resolutions and appeals from the UN Secretary General calling for a substantive political dialogue. "We cannot stand or live in isolation in today's world," said the statement read by members of the party's Central Executive Committee (CEC). ¶4. (U) The NLD also demanded that the SPDC release all political prisoners (citing specifically NLD leaders Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo; ethnic democracy leaders U Hkun Htun Oo and Sai Nyunt Lwin; and all Members-elect of Parliament); immediately open all NLD offices; and allow political parties to function as allowed by existing law. Party leaders, in a somber gesture, cited the individual names of 75 NLD members whom the regime has detained for over ten years for their political beliefs. IN A FEISTY MOOD -------------- ¶5. (U) Although the NLD's commemoration was a subdued affair, the party has actively criticized the regime in recent weeks. On September 21, the NLD issued a "special statement" supporting a recent report commissioned by Vaclav Havel and Bishop Desmond Tutu that calls for the UN Security Council to address the situation in Burma. In its statement, the NLD made a pointed appeal to UNSC members (read: China) to refrain from exercising veto power to block the initiative. ¶6. (SBU) On September 15, the NLD reiterated a long-held party position that implicitly supports sanctions, but distances the party from foreign government actions. "We are of the opinion," said the announcement, "that sanctions are an action taken by a democratic country to promote democracy in another country; nevertheless, we have not asked any country to impose sanctions." The announcement was a likely response to a recent British Government-hosted conference to review its Burma policy, as well as a reaction to former student activists who have called for renewed humanitarian assistance (Note: 1988 student leaders Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi both attended the September 27 NLD event. End Note.) COMMENT: RELEVANCE -------------- ¶7. (C) The NLD studiously avoids personal criticisms that would provoke the ire of the SPDC, focusing instead on neutral territory. True to form, the speeches and statement at this year's anniversary event quoted extensively the country's independence leader, Aung San (and father of ASSK), and the party's own founding principles ("not for party politics, but for the success of a democratic movement"). Nonetheless, the party's overt support for efforts to bring Burma before the UNSC run counter to the SPDC's systematic retreat from, and disdain for, the international community. At a time when the regime's repression of the opposition is at an all-time high, the NLD's small but meaningful gestures give relevance to the beleaguered pro-democracy movement. End Comment. Villarosa