POST RESPONSE: FOLLOWING UP ON THE ACTIVISTS FOR

UNCLAS RANGOON 000300 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM SUBJECT: POST RESPONSE: FOLLOWING UP ON THE ACTIVISTS FOR DEMOCRACY AND DISSIDENTS OUTREACH REQUEST REF: A. STATE 44903 ¶B. 2007 STATE 108294 ¶C. RANGGON 185 ¶D. RANGOON 179 ¶E. RANGOON 98 ¶F. RANGOON 25 ¶G. 2007 RANGOON 1165 ¶1. Embassy Rangoon fully supports the President's Freedom Agenda. The Chief of Mission has made every effort to meet leaders and members of Burma's pro-democracy opposition and to encourage the United Nations and diplomatic counterparts in Rangoon to do so as well. To further this goal, the Chief of Mission has held regular meetings with the leaders of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party (NLD) and regularly attended ceremonies at NLD headquarters, most recently on March 27. She also paid a condolence call on the widow of NLD spokesperson U Myint Thein. As the regime has increased its scrutiny and harassment of the pro-democracy opposition since the September protests, the Charge has held regular events at her residence, allowing political and human rights activists to meet in order to speak freely and network with each other. The Charge d'Affaires also meets regularly with political and human rights activists in informal settings, to assure them of the United States' support of their activities and to find out from them how we can most effectively promote democratic change in Burma. ¶2. In addition, the Charge d'Affaires always includes leaders and members of Burma's pro-democracy movement at official receptions, and cultural and representational events, where foreign diplomats and Burmese government officials are also invited. The inclusion of democracy activists in these events demonstrates the USG's commitment to promoting freedom and democracy, and our willingness to bring together all members of Burma's political community to do so. For more details of the Chief of Mission's activities to support Burma's pro-democracy leaders, we refer you to reftels. VILLAROSA