BURMA: REGIME THUGS CRASH ASSK,S PARTY

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000498 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM SUBJECT: BURMA: REGIME THUGS CRASH ASSK,S PARTY Classified By: Pol Officer Sean O'Neill for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. On June 19, regime thugs disrupted a peaceful gathering to celebrate Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday and arrested at least four participants at NLD headquarters in Rangoon. Another ceremony by the NLD in Taunggot, Rakhine State proceeded without incident. Rumors of 88 Generation Students leader Toe Kyaw Hlaing's arrest this week are untrue, although the regime did arrest three more pro-democracy activists on June 11. End Summary. ASSK's BIRTHDAY -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Swan Arr Shin members (regime thugs) arrested four participants at a ceremony to mark Aung San Suu Kyi's (ASSK) 63rd birthday at NLD headquarters in Rangoon on June 19. According to witnesses, including Embassy staff members, at least 300 NLD members and supporters gathered for a scheduled ceremony at NLD headquarters at 10:30 on Thursday morning. Many participants stood outside the relatively small NLD offices to release birds and chant for ASSK's freedom. Participants estimated over 100 uniformed police and over 200 plain clothes security, USDA, and Swan Arr Shin members blockaded the road in front of NLD headquarters. Approximately ONE hour after the ceremony began, a truckload of Swan Arr Shin members abruptly moved in and arrested four NLD supporters, including Bahan township NLD secretary U Tun Myint. Some witnesses told us the four were beaten before being loaded into trucks and driven away. ¶3. (SBU) Shortly after the arrests, authorities sent word to NLD officials that they would permit them to continue with their ceremony provided they did so peacefully. Police reopened the road about an hour later to allow the NLD to hold a scholarship ceremony for children of political prisoners. The rest of the day's ceremonies concluded without incident. Embassy officers and staff observed significantly heightened security in Rangoon today, particularly around ASSK's house and the roads around NLD headquarters. ¶4. (C) Approximately 100 NLD members and supporters in Taunggot, Rakhine State attended a ceremony commemorating ASSK's birthday at the home of local NLD Chairman U Kyaw Khaing. Local NLD officials read a statement condemning the extension of ASSK's house arrest, rejecting the regime's draft constitution and the referendum's results, and urging the NLD's national leadership to provide stronger leadership for the pro-democracy movement. Participants also offered alms to a local monastery in honor of ASSK's birthday. Authorities observed the four-hour ceremony, but did not interfere. Toe Kyaw Hlaing -------------- ¶5. (C) Contrary to widely-circulated rumors, authorities did not arrest 88 Generation Students (88GS) leader Toe Kyaw Hlaing, who remains in hiding. P/E Chief spoke with Toe Kyaw Hlaing on June 18; he confirmed that he was still free and in good health. However, Toe Kyaw Hlaing confirmed that authorities did arrest 88GS members Tin Maung Oo, Yin Yin Waing, and Ni Mo Hlaing on June 11. COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (C) Hundreds of supporters, not all of them NLD members, risked arrest to publicly celebrate Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday. The regime pulled out all the stops to ensure that today's observances did not spark any widespread protests. Despite spending almost 13 of the past 19 years in detention, Aung San Suu Kyi remains a powerful, iconic figure. For that reason Than Shwe fears her. He may send thugs to attack peaceful supporters, but Aung San Suu Kyi's popularity endures. VILLAROSA