BURMA: REGIME ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT FOCUS BACK TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 RANGOON 001014 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM SUBJECT: BURMA: REGIME ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT FOCUS BACK TO ROADMAP REF: RANGOON 1009 AND PREVIOUS RANGOON 00001014 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: P/E Chief Leslie Hayden for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Embassy Rangoon received a faxed letter from Acting PM Thein Sein addressed to Vice President Cheney, objecting to the UN PRST on Burma and declaring the regime intends to proceed with its seven step "roadmap to democracy." The regime's mass-member organization (USDA) continues to organize public rallies throughout the country in support of the National Convention, forcing local residents to attend. Newly re-organized pro-democracy activists will step up their support for the UN's efforts to initiate a dialogue between the regime and Aung San Suu Kyi, and recommend the UN mediate any dialogue to keep the regime honest. A prominent actor and key organizer of the recent detentions was arrested October 10, and Min Ko Naing is reportedly undergoing torture in Insein prison. Post confirmed the death of NLD member Win Shwe in police custody, likely due to torture. End Summary. PM Writes to VP Cheney -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Late in the evening October 10, Embassy Rangoon received a faxed copy of a letter from Acting Prime Minister Thein Sein to Vice President Cheney. The letter objects to a UNSC Presidential Statement on Burma and declares that the government will proceed with its seven step political "roadmap to democracy" whatever the circumstances (text in paragraph 9). Similar letters were sent to the UK Embassy for Prime Minister Gordon Brown and to the French Embassy for Prime Minister Francois Fillon. Despite its appointment of a "Minister of Relations" for Aung San Suu Kyi, the regime appears determined to proceed with its seven-step roadmap. Mass Rallies Continue -------------- ¶3. (C) Over the last few days, the regime's mouthpiece daily, The New Light of Myanmar, has carried pictures of sullen looking Burmese attending mass rallies in support of the National Convention, similar to the one Gambari attended in Lashio during his visit. The rallies are being organized by the regime's mass-member organization, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA). For the rally USDA organized in Myitkyina, households were ordered to provide three people to attend the event. UNHCR told us their employees in Moulmein reported everyone was ordered to attend a rally there or pay a 100,000 kyat fine ($80.00). The Director of MSF Holland reported to us the authorities notified him that his employees would be required to attend National Convention rallies around the country. He refused, and so far, has faced no negative consequences. The New Light of Myanmar has also begun to each day announce the regime's intention to move forward with its plan to draft the constitution and hold a referendum. Machine Gun Nests Multiply in Rangoon -------------- ¶4. (C) Over a dozen sand bag-surrounded machine gun nests, staffed by members of the Police Anti-Riot Squad in purple kerchiefs, appeared at several missions in Rangoon on Wednesday morning. Two popped up at the intersection of Inya Road and University Avenue, directly in front of the former MSG quarters and about 100 yards from the NEC. Other missions have reported similar fortifications appearing near their chanceries, including the Australians, Indians, the UK, and the Thais. The Chinese and Russian missions have had their already overprotected embassies even further fortified, with several Bren machine gun positions at each site. "Honest" Dialogue Needed -------------- RANGOON 00001014 002.2 OF 003 ¶5. (C) The re-organized remnants of the pro-democracy opposition told us again today they will continue to call for a dialogue to support the efforts of the UN to initiate talks between Aung San Suu Kyi and Than Shwe. They plan to issue a statement soon that condemns the conditions Than Shwe set for talks with Aung San Suu Kyi, but emphasizes that she must respond to the offer herself. They will state that the pro-democracy opposition does not demand any conditions for dialogue and neither should the regime. Myat San of the All People's Alliance (reftel) or the "People's Alliance Force" as he informed us today they preferred to be called, stressed the need for the UN to supervise any dialogue in order to keep the regime honest and to receive objective information on its progress. The People's Alliance Force is attempting to plan a memorial on October 26, in honor of those killed in the recent protests. Journalists in the organization have also begun work on a film documenting the protests and the regime's response. More High-Profile Arrests, Torture -------------- ¶6. (C) Myat San confirmed to us that prominent actor and social activist Kyaw Thu and his wife were arrested last night in Rangoon. Kyaw Thu played a key role in organizing protesters to support the monks during the recent demonstrations. He also confirmed that Kyaukapadaung NLD member Win Shwe died due to torture during his interrogation at a police station in Palate, Sagaing Division. Myat San continued that his contacts inside Insein Prison informed him Min Ko Naing is being brutally interrogated and tortured. According to his sources, Ko Ko Gyi is faring better inside prison. Myat San said that, according to his information, the regime has now ceased raiding monasteries because "there are no more left to raid." Monks remain under "monastery arrest," however, with police guards assigned to each monastery to keep tabs on their comings and goings. The regime is closing its net on lower-profile activists who are now starting to go into hiding. Many of our contacts are growing increasingly nervous about meeting with us. In a response to a request to travel to Mandalay, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified us it is currently not approving internal travel for any foreign diplomats. Potatoes and Oranges -------------- ¶7. (SBU) In an illustration on how humor can be found in the darkest circumstances, a recording of military radio communications during the demonstrations is making its way through the opposition movement. During the protests, the military apparently assigned the call sign "oranges" for the monks and "potatoes" for ordinary people. On the recording, soldiers can frantically be heard dispatching reports of marching potatoes and oranges as the protesters make their way through the city. Comment: -------------- ¶8. (C) The regime's letter marks a defiant turn in its response to the heat it is feeling from the world's reaction to its brutal crackdown. Than Shwe appears to believe that now he has stamped out the protests and thrown the UN a bone, he can go about the business of ramming the seven-step roadmap down Burma's throat. This attempt to turn the message back to the roadmap makes it doubly important we keep the pressure on China and ASEAN countries to push the regime to enter a genuine dialogue and send the message that the roadmap, in its current form, is unacceptable to the international community. End comment. ¶9. Begin text of letter to Vice President Cheney: Excellency, I have the honour to express my best wishes to the good health of Your Excellency, and through you, to your RANGOON 00001014 003.2 OF 003 people. As Your Excellency is aware, the recent trip to Myanmar of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General Mr. Ibrahim Gambari was very successful. Mr. Gambari presented his report to the UN Security Council on (5) October 2007 and at the meeting, all members of United Nations Security Council expressed their satisfaction and support of the Special Envoy's progressive mission. Moreover, at the proposal of Mr. Ibrahim Gambari during his visit, our Government designated a Minister for Relations to undertake liaison duties with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, an unprecedented positive progress. Despite our Government's full co-operation in good faith with the UN Secretary General's office, it is saddening to hear that the UN Security Council Chairman is attempting to issue a Presidential Statement regarding Myanmar. This effort does not show appreciation for the above-mentioned prompt co-operation of our government and other positive efforts and also hinders our attempts as well. Our Government therefore objects to any and all efforts to issue the UN Security Council Presidential Statement. We also strongly request that the Presidential Statement is not issued. Excellency, I finally wish to let you know that whatever the circumstances, our Government will proceed and implement the seven step political roadmap that we have officially declared. Please accept Your Excellency the assurances of my highest appreciation. Sincerely, /S/ (Lt. Gen. Thein Sein) Acting Prime Minister Secretary( (1) of the State Peace and Development council SIPDIS End text. STOLTZ