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
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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
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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
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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