BURMA PROTESTS SUBSIDE BUT BECOME MORE VIOLENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000941

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP AND IO; INR/EAP; S/ES-O/CMS
PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA PROTESTS SUBSIDE BUT BECOME MORE VIOLENT

REF: A. RANGOON 926 AND PREVIOUS


B. DAO RANGON 271356Z SEP 07

C. CHIANG MAI 157

RANGOON 00000941 001.6 OF 002


Classified By: Economic Officer Samantha A. Carl-Yoder for Reasons 1.4
(b) & (d)


1. (C) Summary. Clashes between security forces and small
groups of demonstrators continued in downtown Rangoon on
September 28. Today's demonstrations were significantly
smaller and less organized than in the past. For the first
time since August 17, we did not observe any monks
participating in the protests. Embassy officers observed a
strong security presence throughout Rangoon, and military
trucks transporting armed troops were on the scene to break
up protests. Witnesses reported soldiers beating, shooting
at, and detaining protestors and observers as soon as groups
began to gather. We cannot confirm any protest-related
deaths. UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari is scheduled to
arrive in Rangoon on September 29. End Summary.

Security Around Town
--------------


2. (SBU) Security forces maintained barbed wire roadblocks
throughout Rangoon, particularly around Aung San Suu Kyi's
home and Sule Pagoda. We observed an increase in security
camped out in downtown Rangoon - approximately 15 military
trucks and 7 fires trucks were stationed outside of City
Hall. Security around Shwe Dagon Pagoda appeared to have
eased slightly - there were no trucks and small scale
security forces at the pagoda, and several previously blocked
roads around the pagoda have opened.


3. (C) Throughout the day, Embassy officers witnessed many
military trucks carrying troops armed with automatic rifles
patrolling the city. According to Poloff, police erected
many barbed wire blockades and placed them in side streets
downtown and near monasteries.

Demonstrations and Crackdowns
--------------


4. (C) Despite an extremely heavy security presence,
protestors again demonstrated in downtown Rangoon. The
protests were significantly smaller than previous days,
estimated at several hundred people, and consisted of only
civilians. These protests were also significantly more
violent. At 1300 local time, sources reported that at least
three protestors were shot on Pansodan Road (downtown
Rangoon, not far from Sule Pagoda). At 1430, Poloff
witnessed approximately 100 soldiers advancing in formation
down Pansodan Road toward a group of protestors and
onlookers, and 5-6 army trucks transporting additional
solders to the area. One expatriate witnessed soldiers
beating protestors with sticks, using gas to disperse crowds,
and firing shots. He also saw approximately 30 severely
injured people lying in the street; it was unclear whether
they were dead. At 1530, soldiers dispersed another group
near Pansodan Bridge. Poloff witnessed soldiers shooting
from the bridge, but could not see if anyone was injured.


5. (C) Sources told us that several student activists, who
were shouting political slogans and marching downtown,
scattered when security forces arrived. Instead of chasing
down the activists, soldiers beat and detained onlookers.
According to Embassy contacts, onlookers and protestors
throughout the day were chased by police away from the main
demonstration down side streets. Poloff witnessed one man
being detained by four police officers. Another eyewitness
confirmed at least 30 more people were detained. The
security forces continued to warn protestors and onlookers
over loudspeakers that they should go home or face serious
consequences.


6. (C) We continue to receive reports of protests elsewhere
in the country, including those involving monks in Mandalay.

RANGOON 00000941 002.4 OF 002


Continuing telephone difficulties have hindered our ability
to corroborate these reports.

GOB Tries to Shut Down Internet
--------------


7. (C) Contacts at local internet providers Bagan Net and
Myanmar Post and Telecommunications confirmed that the GOB
ordered the cutting off of Internet because it wanted to
control news of the demonstrations. The GOB publicly claimed
that the problems with the internet were due to complications
with an underwater cable. Some Bagan Net users informed
Econoff that they still have Internet access, but it takes
more than 20 minutes to download a page; MPT service is down.
A foreign journalist staying at a downtown hotel said the
internet in the business center was not working this
afternoon. Few, if any, of the local blogs have been updated
since yesterday.

UN Agencies Adopt New Security Posture
--------------


8. (C) UNDP informed us that all UN agencies in Burma
altered their security posture on September 28 to restrict
movements of UN personnel, many of whom have offices in
Traders Hotel. (Note: Traders is located approximately a
quarter mile from Sule Pagoda; people have had difficulty
leaving Traders this week due to demonstrations and heavy
security immediately in front of the hotel.) According to
the UNDP office, UN staff members in Burma were requested
either to stay in their offices until after 5pm or leave
their offices before 12 noon, and to make no unnecessary
movements between 12 noon and 5pm.

Burma Agrees to Gambari Visit
--------------


9. (SBU) UNDP informed us that the Burmese Government agreed
to a visit by Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari, starting on
September 29. Gambari will call on authorities to engage in
a constructive dialogue and to commit to a path of peaceful
and inclusive national reconciliation.

Confirmation of Japanese Citizen Death
--------------


10. (C) The GOB in the New Light of Myanmar confirmed the
death of a Japanese reporter Mr. Nagai Kengi on September 27.
The New Light claims he was killed while "gathering news
amidst the protests although he only had a tourist visa."
One of our Embassy Officers taped footage, showing that the
reporter was shot by Burmese forces, although the GOB
previous declared he was killed by protestors throwing rocks.
We passed the video to the Japanese Embassy on September 28.

Comment
--------------


11. (C) The military has ratcheted up their reaction to
violently prevent further large demonstrations downtown.
However, reports of scattered demonstrations else where in
the city (see Ref B) indicate that popular anger still
festers. There is no indication that the military heeded the
international outrage of their actions. To the contrary,
they probably feel satisfied that their use of force has been
effective. They may be succeeding at reinforcing the fear
they have tried to instill over the past 19 years, but they
have failed to address the underlying popular grievances.

VILLAROSA