NLD CHAIRMAN ON USG DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000579

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2014
TAGS: PREL EAID KPAO KDEM BM NLD
SUBJECT: NLD CHAIRMAN ON USG DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE

Classified By: Carmen M. Martinez reason 1.4 (b, d)


1. (C) Summary: NLD Chairman Aung Shwe is taking an
increasingly assertive position within the party as Aung San
Suu Kyi remains isolated under strict house arrest. Aung
Shwe endorsed opening a branch American Center in Mandalay to
support democracy training beyond Rangoon and said he would
soon nominate a second batch of NLD participants for the
Professional Development Program, an ESF-funded stealth
training program for the NLD conducted at the American
Center. End Summary.

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NLD Chairman Steps Up
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2. (C) PAO and DCM met with Chairman U Aung Shwe and
Secretary U Lwin May 11 at the National League for Democracy

SIPDIS
headquarters to discuss USG support for pro-democracy
activities. Aung Shwe was unusually animated and engaged
emboffs on a wide range of specific issues without reference
to notes or aides. His spirits seemed high and he exhibited
his wry sense of humor on several occasions, including a quip
about being too poor to shop at upscale City Mart, thus
avoiding harm in the bloody blasts of May 7. In previous
meetings U Aung Shwe was unwilling to make definitive
commitments on issues, needing to defer to Aung San Suu Kyi's
final say. As the terms of ASSK's house arrest have become
increasingly stringent, the heretofore reticent chairman has
finally begun playing a more forceful role in running the
daily affairs of the party.

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Grateful for Democracy Training
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3. (C) Aung Shwe told emboffs he is very pleased with the
results of the Professional Development Program (PDP),which
provides training for key NLD cadre. About twelve party
members--all former political prisoners--participated in
various elements of the first PDP session, with six managing
to complete the entire two-year course. Aung Shwe said he
would nominate a second batch of participants before the end
of May. The NLD leaders said they looked forward to
receiving PDP course materials translated into Burmese (a
pending ESF-funded pro-democracy project) for distribution to
NLD members elsewhere. While at NLD HQ, emboffs observed
former PDP trainees conducting a human rights workshop for
mid-level NLD members.

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Support for Mandalay
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4. (C) The NLD Chairman noted that it is difficult for NLD
members in central and northern regions to attend democracy
training activities in Rangoon. Transport, lodging, and food
expenses are beyond the reach of many NLD members. When
reminded of plans to open a branch American Center in
Mandalay, the NLD chairman said, "That's a good idea. It
would be very helpful."

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Burmese Hoosiers
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5. (C) The PAO also briefed the NLD leaders about the
successful launch of another ESF-funded training program, a
correspondence course enabling pro-democracy youth (who the
regime would prohibit from traveling abroad) to earn Indiana
University credits toward a college degree. The chairman was
pleased to hear that this project, specifically requested by
NLD General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi, was up and running at
the American Center. He promised to try to get word to ASSK
with this news, but he acknowledged, "I don't know when that
might be."

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ASSK Update
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6. (C) In passing Aung Shwe mentioned that ASSK's doctor,
who was supposed to have access to her May 10, had in fact
not gotten in to see her. When emboffs pressed for details,
Aung Shwe recounted that the police said the doctor could
only visit at some specified time in the afternoon. ASSK
apparently objected, and the visit was cancelled. When
emboffs asked if ASSK knew about the recent bombings, the NLD
leaders said they thought she listened to the radio. They
added that the party planned to mark her 60th birthday on
June 19 by organizing a special donation of food to monks.


7. (C) Comment: Chairman Aung Shwe's decisive performance
May 11 was a welcomed change from the lassitude we have often
encountered at NLD HQ in Aung San Suu Kyi's absence. His
strongly voiced support for expanded ESF-funded democracy
training programs inside Burma echoed Aung San Suu Kyi's
previously expressed keen interest in these programs. End
comment.
Martinez