BURMA: MORE ARRESTS RAISE TENSIONS, HIGHLIGHT LIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 001146 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM SUBJECT: BURMA: MORE ARRESTS RAISE TENSIONS, HIGHLIGHT LIES REF: RANGOON 1119 Classified By: Political Officer Sean O'Neill for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. KIO officials confirmed that on November 22, the Burma Army arrested eight of the group's members, six of whom were released the next day. The KIO is negotiating for the release of the remaining two, believed to be senior regional leaders of the cease-fire group. While there were no reports of a break in the 13-year-old ceasefire, KIO officials told us the regime's actions have raised tensions in the region. Authorities arrested human rights activist Aung Zaw Oo at a Rangoon teashop on November 26. He was helping to organize a ceremony to commemorate International Human Rights Day on December 10. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) liaison officer Lone Taung confirmed that on November 22, the Burma Army raided the KIO's regional offices in Dawhpum Yang Township, Kachin State. Local contacts reported that forces from the Burma Army's Northern Regional Command arrested six soldiers and two KIO officials in the mid-day raid. The six KIO soldiers were released the following day but the two officials remain in custody, Lone Taung said. He would not confirm subsequent media reports identifying the two as Bhamo District Commander Zai San and Assistant Commander Zau Gawng but described them simply as "senior officials." ¶3. (C) Lone Taung informed us the KIO's Central Executive Committee was scheduled to meet today. The organization's representatives were negotiating with the Burma Army's local commanders for the two officials' release. He would not speculate on the reasons for the arrests, but pointed out that the Burma Army has taken an increasingly aggressive stance against the KIO since its refusal earlier this month to publicly disavow Aung San Suu Kyi as several other ethnic groups have been forced to do. (reftel). Lone Taung discounted media reports that the KIO and Burma Army had increased their troop levels in the area but acknowledged the regime had intentionally disrupted local trade including rendering inoperable an important bridge over the Mayhka river. The situation was not violent yet, he remarked, but the Burma Army's recent actions have raised tensions in the region. ¶4. (C) On the afternoon of November 26, authorities arrested leading human rights activist Aung Zaw Oo at a Rangoon teashop. Human Rights Defenders and Promoters (HRDP) leader Myint Aye confirmed the arrest, telling us his fellow HRDP member had been helping to organize a ceremony to commemorate International Human Rights Day on December 10. Myint Aye said he had hoped to hold the ceremony outside of Rangoon to highlight the plight of rural Burmese, but worried the government's ongoing crackdown may make that too risky. The regime has not acknowledged Aung Zaw Oo's arrest, and friends and family know nothing of his whereabouts or condition. ¶5. (C) Comment. Instead of persuading the KIO of its genuine interest in political dialogue, the Than Shwe regime relies on force to bring the ethnic group in line. The same tactics are used against organizers trying to celebrate UN agreements signed by the Burmese government. We see nothing to show that Than Shwe is interested in real dialogue and reconciliation. End Comment. VILLAROSA