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