BURMA: REGIME DETAINS AMERICAN CENTER STUDENTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000262

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL BM KPAO OEXC
SUBJECT: BURMA: REGIME DETAINS AMERICAN CENTER STUDENTS

REF: RANGOON 184

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


1. (C) Summary: In an aggressive move against our American
Center, the regime has detained several of our high-profile
students and patrons. A prominent American Center student
was detained at Yangon International Airport while departing
Burma for the U.S. to participate in a State Department
funded International Visitor's Program exchange. He has not
yet been released and several other American Center students
have been detained and questioned regarding American Center
programs. The police have also raided the homes and
businesses of other American Center patrons and pro-democracy
activists. End summary.


2. (SBU) On March 5, International Visitor (IV) Program
participant Thwin Linn Aung was detained while departing
Yangon International Airport en route to the United States to
participate in an IV program on conflict resolution funded by
the USG. Thwin Linn Aung is one of the our most prominent
American Center students. He is president of the Myanmar
Debate Society (300 members strong) and active in many of the
Center's programs.


3. (SBU) On Saturday March 10, American Center student and
88 Generation Students spokesman Pan Daik Tun was detained by
the regime and held the entire day for questioning. Pan Daik
Tun told us the regime questioned him about the classes he
was taking at the American Center as well as the student book
club that he leads. Pan Deik Tun gave an interview to DVB
after he was released stating the regime was harassing former
political prisoners who are attempting to finish their
education.


4. (C) On Friday, March 9, Police raided the home of 88
Generation Students activist and American Center patron Ant
Bwe Kyaw. The 88 Generation activists had been warned in
advance of the raid and removed several documents from Ant
Bwe Kyaw's house. A laptop was left behind that the police
tried to confiscate but Ant Bwe Kyaw talked them out of
taking it. Ant Bwe Kyaw is 88 Generation's information
technology guru. He is in charge of formatting and
distributing statements and information for their campaigns.
Just before his house was raided, police raided a computer
center owned by the daughter of General Aung San's brother, U
Aung Than. U Aung Than supports political activists from the
NLD and the 88 Generation Students. He has been giving them
free computer lessons at the center, tailored to their needs.
U Aung Than is also one of the applicants for the Embassy's
small grants program.


5. (C) On Sunday, March 11, American Center patron Aung
Thant Zin Oo was detained at 1300, and released later in the
day at 1900. He was questioned about IV recipient Thwin Linn
Aung, the student book club, and American Center programs.
Another American Center student involved in the student book
club was also picked up today and another has gone into
hiding. Additionally, American Center student and NLD member
U Soe Win told us today that he had been questioned by Police
Special Branch (SB) regarding Thwin Linn Aung.


6. (C) Pro-democracy activists have long used the American
Center's library, guest speakers, and workshops to gain
information about a variety of topics that the government
tries to censor. They see it as a safe haven where they can
associate freely and continue their educations that were
interrupted by the regime. The American Center, as well as
the British Council, has frequently been a focus of demeaning
articles in the regime's mouthpiece daily, the New Light of
Myanmar. In addition, the GOB has recently demarched Embassy
officials twice regarding American Center materials and
activities (reftel). The recent arrests and detentions
likely represent increased regime efforts to disrupt American
Center activities and harass those who participate in them.


7. (SBU) Suggested Press Guidance:


RANGOON 00000262 002 OF 002


Q: Can you confirm reports that Thwin Linn Aung was arrested
as he was about to depart Burma on an exchange program?

A: We understand that he has been arrested and call for his
immediate and unconditional release. The United States sends
thousands of people from all over the world every year on
exchange programs to our country. The programs introduce
visitors to the United States and offer exposure to a wide
range of opinions on international issues.
VILLAROSA