BURMA WATCHES AS MONKS CONTINUE PROCESSIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000906

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA WATCHES AS MONKS CONTINUE PROCESSIONS

REF: RANGOON 900 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Pol Officer Sean O'Neill for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)


1. (C) Summary. Since September 16, we have confirmed at
least ten processions by monks in five separate states and
divisions in Burma. On September 19, monks led processions
in Rangoon and Mandalay. Embassy sources reported that the
day before, police in Sittwe used tear gas to disperse a
march of about 1,000 monks, but we received no reports of any
other clashes with security forces. Several journalists tell
us they have been harassed for covering these processions.
Security in Rangoon and the rest of Burma remains tight. End
Summary.


2. (C) An Embassy source in the city of Mandalay reported
approximately 1,000 monks led a procession through the city
the afternoon of September 19. As with previous marches, the
monks recited traditional Buddhist chants but did not make
any overt political statements. Security forces followed the
march closely but did not intervene and made no arrests,
according to witnesses. Our source told us that several
senior citizens on the side of the road chanted prayers in
support of the monks but no one joined in the march. This
was the first monk-led protest this year in Mandalay, Burma's
second largest city.


3. (C) RSO staff observed approximately 100 monks stage a
procession through Rangoon on the morning of September 19.
We saw a different group of about 150 monks marching in
another area of the city later in the day. As with the march
in Mandalay, authorities closely followed them but did not
interfere. No arrests were reported. Unlike yesterday, we
did not see any significant groups of spectators following
the monks, although a steady rainfall throughout the day may
have kept people away.


4. (C) Embassy sources confirmed approximately 1,000 monks
led a procession through downtown Sittwe the afternoon of
September 18. Witnesses told us police fired warning shots
and used tear gas when the monks attempted to enter the
Rakhine State Peace and Development Council offices. We are
seeking to confirm reports four monks were arrested and one
city employee was slightly injured in the confrontation. Our
contacts also reported another September 18 procession of
several hundred monks in Bago ended peacefully and without
any arrests.


5. (C) Journalists told us they have been increasingly
harassed by authorities for covering these events. Burmese
stringers for AP and NHK said security personnel seized cell
phones, cameras, and other equipment from them as they
attempted to cover yesterday's march in Rangoon. Police
reportedly tried to detain another local reporter for the
Kyodo news agency. He lost his camera but managed to break
free and leave the area.


6. (C) Security in Rangoon and the rest of Burma remains
tight. The normally bustling Shwe Dagon Pagoda has been
closed since Tuesday, as have several major roads in Rangoon,
including the road past Aung San Suu Kyi's house. Sources in
Mandalay reported major streets and intersections in downtown
were blocked off and police were visible throughout the city.


7. (C) Comment. These processions are significant. With
the exception of Sittwe, authorities have been hesitant to
intervene and many speculated they may have specific orders
to avoid confrontation. Similarly, ordinary people have been
following the processions closely but remain reluctant to
join in, perhaps because some monks have asked them not to.
The authorities are gambling that the protests will die down.
At the same time the protestors seemed determined to keep
showing their discontent. The turning point will come when
popular discontent trumps the fear of the military. End
Comment.
VILLAROSA