REGIME CRACKS DOWN BUT PROTESTS CONTINUE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000913 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP AND IO; INR/EAP; S/ES-O/CMS PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM SUBJECT: REGIME CRACKS DOWN BUT PROTESTS CONTINUE REF: RANGOON 911 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: CDA Villarosa for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. On September 26, the regime began to crack down on protestors in Rangoon. The government announced a dusk to dawn curfew would begin at 1745 tonight. At least 500 monks and 2,000 civilians defiantly continued their demonstrations on September 26, despite a significant and visible security presence throughout the city. Embassy officials heard multiple volleys of gunfire in the vicinity of demonstrations near Sule Pagoda. Embassy contacts reported the police used tear gas to break up the marches and arrested approximately 50 monks at Shwe Dagon Pagoda. Five monks were reportedly injured at Shwe Dagon, although it is unclear how they were hurt. We are seeking to confirm rumors a monk died in the protests today. End Summary. Military and Police Out in Full Force -------------- ¶2. (C) For the first time, Embassy officials observed a significant military and police presence throughout Rangoon on September 26. Soldiers and police barricaded and occupied City Hall Square adjacent to Sule Pagoda in downtown Rangoon. Embassy officers saw police place tear gas containers near Sule Pagoda to be used when the protestors arrived. Access to many other monasteries and pagodas, including Shwe Dagon Pagoda, was restricted by armed police. In several parks downtown, we observed a number of armed military troops and police. Violence in the Streets -------------- ¶3. (C) Despite government warnings, at least 500 monks and more than 2,000 civilians continued their protests on September 26. Compared to the protests of the last few days, there were significantly fewer monks participating, fewer observers in the streets, and more political activists involved in the demonstrations. Numerous civilians walked with monks while reciting traditional Buddhist chants, which have become a symbol of these protests. The protests continued throughout the day, despite military and police efforts to quash the marches. Embassy contacts reported that people have become more defiant, ignoring police warnings. One contact informed us that a group of protestors marched up to the riot police, who were blocking their path, and demanded they move aside. According to our contact, the police acquiesced and the march continued. ¶4. (C) Throughout the day, Embassy officers monitoring the demonstrations near Sule Pagoda heard a series of shots fired near protesters. Poloff noted he heard volleys of automatic weapons and semi-automatic rifle fire but could not see who fired them or where they were aiming. Meanwhile, just across the park from Sule Pagoda in front of the U.S. Embassy, vehicles and pedestrians continued to pass as usual. Embassy sources reported seeing security forces using tear gas to break up various marches. Sources also confirmed that approximately 50 monks were arrested near Shwe Dagon Pagoda in the early afternoon. The Defense Attache witnessed five injured monks leaving Shwe Dagon on September 26 -- one monk was unconscious and three others had hand and foot injuries. It is unclear how these monks were hurt. We cannot confirm any protest-related deaths. ¶5. (C) The gunfire and tear gas failed to stem the protests. Late in the afternoon, 1000-2000 protestors marched in front of the British Embassy and the former U.S. Embassy. ¶6. (SBU) Embassy sources reported protests in Sittwe and Mandalay on September 26, but were unable to provide more details. Keeping the Situation Under Control -------------- RANGOON 00000913 002 OF 002 ¶7. (C) Late on September 25, the regime announced the imposition of a curfew to begin on September 26. According to the original GOB announcement, individuals must be off the streets between the hours of 9pm and 5am, which later was amended to be from 6pm to 6am. Additionally, the GOB reconfirmed its regulation prohibiting the gathering of five or more people. It has already begun to impose the restriction on groups, targeting one American Center lunch event, which was to be held at a local restaurant. The government demanded that the restaurant provide a list of attendees' names prior to the event; we subsequently moved the event to Embassy premises. This may indicate how the GOB plans to enforce the restriction or may have been targeted at the American Center. ¶8. (SBU) The Foreign Ministry plans to hold a press conference in Nai Pyi Taw on September 27 at 11am local time, and has invited the diplomatic community. An Embassy of9icer will attend the briefing. Where is Aung San Suu Kyi? -------------- ¶9. (C) Following up on the rumor that Aung San Suu Kyi was moved to a prison earlier this week, we have not yet been able to confirm her whereabouts. We note however that we continue to observe a significant armed security presence posted at the barricades around her house. As of September 26, approximately 100 armed police were stationed at the barricades on both sides of her house. Comment -------------- ¶10. (C) The government has begun its long-anticipated crackdown. This has not stopped numerous monks and civilians from continuing their protests in defiance of the regime. What began a few weeks ago as an expression of dissatisfaction over rising fuel prices has become a campaign against the military regime. The protestors have made clear to Embassy observers that they see us as their allies. This is the most concerted effort since 1988 to rid themselves of military control. Some are willing to risk their lives, and they are looking to us for more than moral support. VILLAROSA