Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RANGOON1785
2006-12-08 09:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
BURMA: THE REGIME FINDS ITS OWN "88 GENERATION
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 001785
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: THE REGIME FINDS ITS OWN "88 GENERATION
STUDENTS"
REF: RANGOON 1436
Classified By: P/E Chief Leslie Hayden for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
(SBU) Summary: In a feeble attempt to confuse the public and
manipulate international opinion against the pro-democracy 88
Generation Students group, the regime is sponsoring its own
organization of "activists" named the "88 Generation Students
and Youth Union of Myanmar (EGSY)." The pro-regime group
released a statement on November 9 calling for opposition
groups to support the government's seven-step "roadmap for
democracy" and held a press conference on December 5, during
which they called for lifting economic sanctions against
Burma. The group plans to initiate their own signature
campaign to support their call for lifting the sanctions.
Burmese journalists speculate EGSY will collaborate with the
regime's mass political organization, the Union Solidarity
and Development Association (USDA),to organize
demonstrations in front of western embassies. End summary.
(SBU) In 2005, controversial former political prisoner and
student activist Aye Lwin formed his own organization, the 88
Generation Students and Youth Union of Myanmar (ESGY),to
confuse the Burmese public and undermine support for the
pro-democracy 88 Generation Students (88GS) group led by Min
Ko Naing. Aye Lwin,s organization tries to time its press
releases and publicity stunts to coincide with 88GS
activities and statements. Our contacts speculate the group
does this deliberately to confuse both the Burmese public and
the international community.
(SBU) In a statement last August, EGSY condemned those who
continue to support the 1990 election results; said Aung San
Suu Kyi should not lead a dialogue with the military regime;
criticized foreign country interference in Burma; and derided
those who support a formal discussion of Burma in the UNSC.
On November 9, the first day of Gambari's second visit to
Burma, the group issued another statement asking the UN to
urge opposition groups to cooperate with the regime's
seven-step "roadmap to democracy."
(C) On December 5, Aye Lwin held a press briefing in Yangon.
Over 300 attended, but Embassy sources noted that at least
thirty percent of those attending were USDA members. As
usual at such events in Burma, correspondents from pro-regime
media asked rehearsed questions. One source told us the
Censorship Board had pre-cleared the press conference,
allowing local media to publish transcripts from the event
without seeking additional censor approval after the fact.
During the briefing, Aye Lwin announced that EGSY planned to
begin its own signature campaign in 2007 to raise support
among factory workers, business people, and industry for
lifting all economic sanctions against Burma. He did not
disclose any specific details. Resident Reuters
correspondent Aung Hla Htun and resident AP correspondent Aye
Aye Win told emboffs they have heard the organization will
also collaborate with USDA to organize "public"
demonstrations in front of western embassies whose countries
support economic sanctions against Burma. Aung Hla Htun also
believes the government will pressure private businesses to
support the new campaign.
(SBU) Aye Lwin was one of the leaders of the 1988 student
uprising. He formed a political party, The Students'
Democratic Uprising Party, to contest the 1990 parliamentary
elections, but did not win a single seat. He is a
controversial figure inside Burma and has been accused by
many of being an informer for military intelligence since the
beginning of his participation in the 88 demonstrations. He
is said to enjoy the spotlight and often speaks out against
Aung San Suu Kyi and Min Ko Naing. Many of the 88GS group
believe his latest project is an attempt to ingratiate
himself further with the regime to gain additional power.
(C) Comment: Unable to convince the detained 88GS leaders
to endorse the National Convention (reftel),the regime is
using another puppet organization to confuse the Burmese
RANGOON 00001785 002 OF 002
people and confer legitimacy on their undemocratic
constitution-drafting process. EGSY's finger-pointing at
international sanctions as the cause of Burma's economic
troubles is a poorly disguised effort to counter the 88GS'
consistent message that the dismal state of Burma's economy
is the result of the Generals' mismanagement and greed. No
one is fooled. End comment.
VILLAROSA
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: THE REGIME FINDS ITS OWN "88 GENERATION
STUDENTS"
REF: RANGOON 1436
Classified By: P/E Chief Leslie Hayden for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
(SBU) Summary: In a feeble attempt to confuse the public and
manipulate international opinion against the pro-democracy 88
Generation Students group, the regime is sponsoring its own
organization of "activists" named the "88 Generation Students
and Youth Union of Myanmar (EGSY)." The pro-regime group
released a statement on November 9 calling for opposition
groups to support the government's seven-step "roadmap for
democracy" and held a press conference on December 5, during
which they called for lifting economic sanctions against
Burma. The group plans to initiate their own signature
campaign to support their call for lifting the sanctions.
Burmese journalists speculate EGSY will collaborate with the
regime's mass political organization, the Union Solidarity
and Development Association (USDA),to organize
demonstrations in front of western embassies. End summary.
(SBU) In 2005, controversial former political prisoner and
student activist Aye Lwin formed his own organization, the 88
Generation Students and Youth Union of Myanmar (ESGY),to
confuse the Burmese public and undermine support for the
pro-democracy 88 Generation Students (88GS) group led by Min
Ko Naing. Aye Lwin,s organization tries to time its press
releases and publicity stunts to coincide with 88GS
activities and statements. Our contacts speculate the group
does this deliberately to confuse both the Burmese public and
the international community.
(SBU) In a statement last August, EGSY condemned those who
continue to support the 1990 election results; said Aung San
Suu Kyi should not lead a dialogue with the military regime;
criticized foreign country interference in Burma; and derided
those who support a formal discussion of Burma in the UNSC.
On November 9, the first day of Gambari's second visit to
Burma, the group issued another statement asking the UN to
urge opposition groups to cooperate with the regime's
seven-step "roadmap to democracy."
(C) On December 5, Aye Lwin held a press briefing in Yangon.
Over 300 attended, but Embassy sources noted that at least
thirty percent of those attending were USDA members. As
usual at such events in Burma, correspondents from pro-regime
media asked rehearsed questions. One source told us the
Censorship Board had pre-cleared the press conference,
allowing local media to publish transcripts from the event
without seeking additional censor approval after the fact.
During the briefing, Aye Lwin announced that EGSY planned to
begin its own signature campaign in 2007 to raise support
among factory workers, business people, and industry for
lifting all economic sanctions against Burma. He did not
disclose any specific details. Resident Reuters
correspondent Aung Hla Htun and resident AP correspondent Aye
Aye Win told emboffs they have heard the organization will
also collaborate with USDA to organize "public"
demonstrations in front of western embassies whose countries
support economic sanctions against Burma. Aung Hla Htun also
believes the government will pressure private businesses to
support the new campaign.
(SBU) Aye Lwin was one of the leaders of the 1988 student
uprising. He formed a political party, The Students'
Democratic Uprising Party, to contest the 1990 parliamentary
elections, but did not win a single seat. He is a
controversial figure inside Burma and has been accused by
many of being an informer for military intelligence since the
beginning of his participation in the 88 demonstrations. He
is said to enjoy the spotlight and often speaks out against
Aung San Suu Kyi and Min Ko Naing. Many of the 88GS group
believe his latest project is an attempt to ingratiate
himself further with the regime to gain additional power.
(C) Comment: Unable to convince the detained 88GS leaders
to endorse the National Convention (reftel),the regime is
using another puppet organization to confuse the Burmese
RANGOON 00001785 002 OF 002
people and confer legitimacy on their undemocratic
constitution-drafting process. EGSY's finger-pointing at
international sanctions as the cause of Burma's economic
troubles is a poorly disguised effort to counter the 88GS'
consistent message that the dismal state of Burma's economy
is the result of the Generals' mismanagement and greed. No
one is fooled. End comment.
VILLAROSA