BURMA: SOME PRISONERS RELEASED; KEY LEADERS STILL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 001064

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: SOME PRISONERS RELEASED; KEY LEADERS STILL
DETAINED


RANGOON 00001064 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: P/E Chief Leslie Hayden for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)


1. (SBU) Summary: On October 25 the regime released 87
people it had arrested during last month's demonstrations,
including 50 NLD members. However, the regime continues to
arrest and detain prominent NLD and 88 Generation Students
leaders, and to deny them proper medical attention. The
government continued its propaganda campaign today by STAGING
an anti-American march near the Shwe Dagon Pagoda. Similar
demonstrations are planned for Rangoon over the next few
days. The UN told us they continue to plan for a Gambari
visit on November 5, although they are pushing for an earlier
date. Fighting between insurgents and government-backed
troops has reportedly resumed in Karen and Kayah States. End
summary.


2. (SBU) On October 25 the regime released approximately 87
people it had detained during the recent unrest. Among those
released were fifty members of Aung San Suu Kyi's National
League for Democracy Party including a member of its Central
Executive Committee, U Hla Phe. Also released was NLD member
Than Hteik Aung, who worked closely with Phyu Phyu Thin in
her HIV/AIDS treatment organization, Friends of the Red
Ribbon.


3. (SBU) NLD spokesman U Myint Thein remains in detention,
along with Magwe Division NLD Chairman U Han Zaw. Both are
in poor health and reportedly being denied proper medical
treatment. U Han Zaw has had heart surgery and needs regular
cardiac medicine. His family reports that the prison has run
out of the required medication and will not allow them to
bring the medication themselves. U Myint Thein is reportedly
also being denied medication for his ulcer. Contacts from
the 88 Generation reported to us that another 88 Generation
leader, Aung Naing, was arrested over the weekend.


4. (C) 88 Generation Leader Toe Kyaw Hlaing told us a member
of their organization who had recently been released from
prison was led past Min Ko Naing's and Ko Ko Gyi's cells
while being escorted out of Insein prison. Although they
were not allowed to speak to him, both gave him the "thumbs
up" sign, a long-time code among 88 Generation prisoners that
means "we are fine, keep up the fight." On October 28,
pro-democracy activist Su Su Nwe, who is currently in hiding,
succeeded in laying a basket of flowers at the location where
the Japanese journalist was shot and killed last month, in
memorial of those killed in the demonstrations. Other
activists also succeeded in placing memorial baskets of
flowers throughout the city.


5. (SBU) The government continued its propaganda campaign
with a pro-government march near Shwe Dagon Pagoda in Rangoon
today. Hundreds of people reportedly were forced to
participate and shout anti-American slogans while local
officials directed them. Large marches and rallies are
reportedly scheduled to continue throughout the week. The UN
told us today they expect Gambari to arrive on or around
November 5, although they continue to push the GOB to allow
Gambari to return to Burma even earlier. Reports of
fighting between Burma Army backed DKBA troops and KNLA
troops in Karen State could not be confirmed although a
contact in Kayah State confirmed that clashes between Burma
Army troops and the KNPP in Kayah State had been taking place
beginning last week. He estimated as many as seven
skirmishes may have taken place.


6. (SBU) Comment: These releases should not be given too
much significance. The regime is releasing those low-level
followers while continuing to arrest anyone with leadership
qualities. This tracks with their long-standing policy to
keep the majority of the population in line through fear and
intimidation, while detaining the leaders to keep the
political opposition disorganized. They deserve no praise
for the releases, rather condemnation for continuing to
arrest people who have done nothing wrong. It will be
important for Gambari and Pinheiro to meet directly with the
detainees, and we should demand access by qualified medical

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personnel to provide proper medical care for those detained.
We do not consider USDA hacks to be qualified medical
personnel. End comment.
VILLAROSA