OPPOSITION ELATED BY UNSC ATTENTION TO BURMA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 001377 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, IO/UNP E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2016 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BM SUBJECT: OPPOSITION ELATED BY UNSC ATTENTION TO BURMA RANGOON 00001377 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: DCM Karl Stoltz for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The UNSC's decision to place Burma on its September agenda was greeted warmly by leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD),student activists, and ethnic parties in Burma. The regime reacted by praising China, Russia, and other countries who opposed UNSC action and blasting the U.S., Japan, the UN and "terrorists in exile" for forcing UNSC discussion. Opposition leaders plan to attend the NLD's September 27 anniversary en masse to show support for national reconciliation and dialogue. End summary. ¶2. (U) The NLD issued a statement on September 20 that praised UNSC attention to the situation in Burma. The press release, approved on September 19 by the umbrella opposition Committee Representing the People's Parliament (CRPP), stated: "Burmese refugee issues, drug issues, HIV/AIDS (and) threatening human rights violations are causing political, economic, social, health, and educational problems. These problems emerge because the SPDC does not discuss and coordinate with the NLD, ethnic political parties and ethnic organizations, and carries out self-imposed, one-sided policies. The above problems have become not only domestic problems, but also international problems. That is why on September 15, 2006, the UN Security Council decided to officially add Burma issues into their discussion agenda. The UNSC's decision is essential for democratic transformation and national reconciliation. We welcome this because it is a very important step." ¶3. (U) Speaking to international media, NLD spokesperson U Lwin said that the UN's efforts since 2001 to discuss Burma had failed because UN Secretary General Annan did not have a strong enough mandate, but that if the UNSC passes a resolution on Burma this month, it will give the UNSYG the mandate to impose resolutions and bring about good results. Party executive U Nyan Win credited Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Havel for providing the impetus for UNSC action with their September 2005 report on Burma and said, "We can see hope for national reconciliation." NLD leader U Myint Thein added, "The UNSC agenda is not for military invasion or economic sanctions, but will enforce (efforts) to bring out progress in national reconciliation and dialogue." ¶4. (C) In a statement issued on September 16, leaders of the 88 Generation Students' group said, "We welcome the decision to discuss the Burma issue at the UNSC as a crucial step in substantiating Burma's democracy and national reconciliation. All domestic forces, regional countries, and the international community as a whole have urged and are still urging discussion of Burma's national reconciliation by both quiet and loud means... No one person or no one party can solve Burma's political difficulties unilaterally." Student leader Min Ko Naing told emb staff that he disagreed with the 88 Generation Students' statement that no one party could solve the situation unilaterally, but majority ruled. ¶5. (C) Ethnic leaders also praised UNSC action. Pu Cin Sian Thang of Zomi National Congress (ZNC) told the Charge and DCM on September 16 that the UNSC action was a "wonderful gift for the people of Burma." In a press statement on September 18, he said, "We especially want to thank all - the United States, the ten countries (who voted for inclusion),and the UN Security Council...We are feeling very encouraged with the thought that the fate and prospect of Burma might improve and that there is hope for democracy." U Kyi Win, a prominent pro-opposition lawyer, told Embassy staff on September 20 that the UNSC action is the most significant action taken internationally about Burma in 40 years. ¶6. (C) The UN action is also helping bring diverse RANGOON 00001377 002.2 OF 002 opposition groups closer together. On September 27, many ethnic leaders, veteran politicians, and 88 student activists who do not normally work closely with NLD plan to participate in NLD's anniversary celebration at party headquarters in Rangoon to encourage members and mobilize unified opposition to the regime. ¶7. (C) According to Pu Cin Sian Thang, the CRPP plan to send a letter on September 21 to USUN Rep. Bolton, USYG Gambari, UNSYG Annan, and all ten countries that voted "yes" to place Burma on the UNSC agenda, praising their efforts to pursue reconciliation and dialogue in Burma. The CRPP also plans to send letters to the countries that voted "no" or abstained, asking them to not vote against or veto a future UNSC resolution unless they understand the actual conditions in Burma. ¶8. (C) The SPDC, predictably, reacted to the UNSC action with a vigorous attack on the U.S., Japan (as a "traitor to Asian solidarity"),and the opposition. On September 19, the regime mouthpiece "New Light of Myanmar" published a front-page headline and five-page rebuttal of charges that conditions in Burma constitute a threat to regional stability, declaring in one passage that, "There are no political prisoners in this country." On September 20, the same paper ran an editorial entitled "Crush the Danger of Destructive Elements Trying to Jeopardize the Peace and Stability of the Nation," blaming the U.S. for interfering in the country's domestic affairs. Pu Cin Sian Thang said the regime's extensive reaction shows more fear than usual. ¶9. (C) COMMENT: The UNSC action has given hope to Burma's beleaguered opposition and unnerved the SPDC. The action has also energized pro-democracy supporters who felt they had been forgotten. Most encouraging to us were vows to stay united. End comment. VILLAROSA