AUNG SAN SUU KYI MEETS NLD LEADERS AND AUNG KYI

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 001100 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/08/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM SUBJECT: AUNG SAN SUU KYI MEETS NLD LEADERS AND AUNG KYI Classified By: P/E Chief Leslie Hayden for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: In a two hour meeting with her party's Central Executive Committee (CEC),Aung San Suu Kyi described Minister of Relations Aung Kyi as a good man with whom she could work. She also told them that she believed the regime had a "genuine will for national reconciliation" and dialogue. She informed them of her understanding that she would be able to meet with the CEC on a regular basis and asked them to appoint two NLD members as liaisons to work closely with Aung Kyi, with whom she also met with today. Aung San Suu Kyi and the CEC spent most of their meeting discussing options for next steps in a dialogue with the regime. End summary. ¶2. (C) NLD "Uncle" U Lwin told pol/econ chief that the party's Central Executive Committee had a positive two-hour meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) at the Government Guest House on November 8. ASSK also met separately with Minister of Relations Aung Kyi. U Lwin described ASSK as in good health and good spirits. She told U Lwin Aung Kyi was a "good man" with whom she could work. U Lwin said ASSK was happy with the statement released on her behalf by Gambari and told them she was glad she could finally speak for herself on the situation in the country. ¶3. (C) The main message the NLD had from their meeting today, according to U Lwin, was that ASSK believed the regime has a "genuine will for national reconciliation" and to carry on a dialogue with her. He said ASSK understood that the Central Executive Committee would be permitted to meet regularly with her, and she asked them to appoint two liaisons from the NLD who would work closely with Aung Kyi. U Lwin also said ASSK needed up-to-date information because of her prolonged isolation. Pol/econ chief offered the Embassy's assistance in providing whatever was needed. (The Embassy already provides the NLD with international newspapers and articles on Burma on a regular basis.) ¶4. (C) U Lwin relayed that the focus of the CEC's discussion with ASSK had been on next steps for the way forward in a dialogue with the regime, and how to respond to the conditions Than Shwe had set for the dialogue. He shared that ASSK had stated that the IMF and the World Bank, having carefully studied Burma's economy, know very well the regime's economic mismanagement was the cause of Burma's economic woes, rather than U.S. sanctions. U Lwin said the CEC would release a statement soon after briefing NLD leaders. ¶5. (C) Turning to the CEC's separate meeting with Gambari November 8 in Nay Pyi Taw, U Lwin said the Uncles expressed their disappointment to the UN Envoy that he had not been able to obtain a meeting with Than Shwe. Gambari explained to them his efforts to do so, and the Uncles seemed satisfied that he had tried his best. U Lwin also said Gambari had offered the UN's services to train and prepare the GOB for any future elections, in order to ensure they were conducted according to international standards. ¶6. (C) Comment: NLD headquarters was packed with local press and supporters and the mood was euphoric. Their hopes are high that this time dialogue with the regime will lead to a democratic transition. The Uncles are clearly glad to be part of the dialogue process and back in the political spotlight. But talk is cheap. We do not want to burst their bubble and certainly any injections of hope to the beleaguered pro-democracy forces are welcome. However, we remain skeptical that the regime will take meaningful steps forward. In the meantime, we hope we will be proved wrong. End comment. VILLAROSA