Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BANGKOK5499
2007-10-19 09:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
EMBASSY REFERRAL FOR THAN U WIN, A.K.A AUNG WAY
how-toVZCZCXRO3938 PP RUEHCHI DE RUEHBK #5499 2920918 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 190918Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0277 INFO RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON PRIORITY 4498 RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI PRIORITY 4291
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 005499
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2017
TAGS: PREF PREL TH BM
SUBJECT: EMBASSY REFERRAL FOR THAN U WIN, A.K.A AUNG WAY
REF: RANGOON 00954
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR SUSAN SUTTON, REASON 1.4 (B,D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 005499
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2017
TAGS: PREF PREL TH BM
SUBJECT: EMBASSY REFERRAL FOR THAN U WIN, A.K.A AUNG WAY
REF: RANGOON 00954
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR SUSAN SUTTON, REASON 1.4 (B,D)
1. (U) This is an action request. See para. 7.
2. (C) Embassy is referring dissident Burmese citizen, Than U
Win, a.k.a. Aung Way, for resettlement to the United States
through the Department's Refugee Resettlement Program.
Biograpical information follows:
Name: Than U Win, a.k.a. Aung Way
DOB: July 24, 1954
Nationality: Burmese
Gender: Male
Persecution Claim
--------------
3. (C) Than U Win, a.k.a. Aung Way, is a well-know dissident
poet who has publicly opposed the regime since the 1988
uprising. He has been imprisoned by the regime for his poems
and pro-democracy activities more than once. He has authored
a number of well-known poems opposing the military,s rule
and encouraging the people not to be afraid to continue
struggling for democracy in Burma. During the September
uprising, he stepped forward to take an organizing role in
the demonstrations, along with other famous dissident artists
and actors, after the key 88 Generations Students leaders
were arrested. He also published a widely-circulated poem in
support of the demonstrators.
4. (C) Aung Way,s livelihood as a poet has been repeatedly
threatened by the regime and their censor board, who continue
to ban his poems. He has taken a defiant and uncompromising
stand and refused to change his work or participate in any
regime-sponsored literary events. Last year, when the regime
banned a birthday party for the revered, dissident Burmese
writer Ludu Daw Amar, Aung Way held the birthday party
anyway.
5. (C) Aung Way is a key organizer of the recent
demonstrations in Burma. He was hiding in the UNDP,s
Rangoon office
prior to fleeing across the Thai Burma border. He has been
in touch with Embassy Rangoon as reported in RefTel. Aung
Way is currently staying with Dr. Lun Swe who is associated
with Dr. Cynthia's Mae Thao clinic in
Mae Sot, Thailand. He has expressed his interest in being
resettled to the United States.
Need for Resettlement
--------------
6. (C) The Burmese junta has already detained thousands of
less active dissidents and demonstrators. It would certainly
detain Aung Way , and likely imprison him if he were to
return to Burma. There is no durable solution for him in
Thailand.
7. (C) Post recommends that Department approve this Embassy
referral of Aung Way. Please provide guidance on whether
post should take further steps in processing this case for
U.S. resettlement.
BOYCE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2017
TAGS: PREF PREL TH BM
SUBJECT: EMBASSY REFERRAL FOR THAN U WIN, A.K.A AUNG WAY
REF: RANGOON 00954
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR SUSAN SUTTON, REASON 1.4 (B,D)
1. (U) This is an action request. See para. 7.
2. (C) Embassy is referring dissident Burmese citizen, Than U
Win, a.k.a. Aung Way, for resettlement to the United States
through the Department's Refugee Resettlement Program.
Biograpical information follows:
Name: Than U Win, a.k.a. Aung Way
DOB: July 24, 1954
Nationality: Burmese
Gender: Male
Persecution Claim
--------------
3. (C) Than U Win, a.k.a. Aung Way, is a well-know dissident
poet who has publicly opposed the regime since the 1988
uprising. He has been imprisoned by the regime for his poems
and pro-democracy activities more than once. He has authored
a number of well-known poems opposing the military,s rule
and encouraging the people not to be afraid to continue
struggling for democracy in Burma. During the September
uprising, he stepped forward to take an organizing role in
the demonstrations, along with other famous dissident artists
and actors, after the key 88 Generations Students leaders
were arrested. He also published a widely-circulated poem in
support of the demonstrators.
4. (C) Aung Way,s livelihood as a poet has been repeatedly
threatened by the regime and their censor board, who continue
to ban his poems. He has taken a defiant and uncompromising
stand and refused to change his work or participate in any
regime-sponsored literary events. Last year, when the regime
banned a birthday party for the revered, dissident Burmese
writer Ludu Daw Amar, Aung Way held the birthday party
anyway.
5. (C) Aung Way is a key organizer of the recent
demonstrations in Burma. He was hiding in the UNDP,s
Rangoon office
prior to fleeing across the Thai Burma border. He has been
in touch with Embassy Rangoon as reported in RefTel. Aung
Way is currently staying with Dr. Lun Swe who is associated
with Dr. Cynthia's Mae Thao clinic in
Mae Sot, Thailand. He has expressed his interest in being
resettled to the United States.
Need for Resettlement
--------------
6. (C) The Burmese junta has already detained thousands of
less active dissidents and demonstrators. It would certainly
detain Aung Way , and likely imprison him if he were to
return to Burma. There is no durable solution for him in
Thailand.
7. (C) Post recommends that Department approve this Embassy
referral of Aung Way. Please provide guidance on whether
post should take further steps in processing this case for
U.S. resettlement.
BOYCE