BURMESE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE: FUTURE IS BRIGHT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000634

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS, INR/B, INR/EAP
PACOM FOR FPA
DEPT PASS TO USAID/ANE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/07/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAGR ECON BM
SUBJECT: BURMESE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE: FUTURE IS BRIGHT

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


1. (C) Summary. During the Charge's out-going call on
Minister of Agriculture Major General Htay Oo, the Minister
focused on the importance of promoting stability throughout
Burma for the overall development of the country. Major
General Htay Oo lauded the regime's seven step "roadmap to
democracy," noting the importance of public and
organizational participation while emphasizing the need for
unity. As the Secretary General of the Union Solidarity and
Development Association (USDA),Htay Oo claimed that USDA's
primary purpose was to assist the Burmese people while
promoting peace and stability. He dismissed stories of USDA
members arresting pro-democracy activists, ignoring the
Charge's pointed remarks about USDA thugs attacking peaceful
pro-democracy activists. He refused to elaborate on whether
the USDA would register as a political party for the 2010
elections. The Minister also highlighted efforts to promote
agricultural production in the delta. End Summary.

USDA to "Assist" the People
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2. (C) After providing Charge with a shorter-than-usual
history of Burma, Minister of Agriculture and USDA Secretary
General Htay Oo claimed that the military government
succeeded in establishing peace and stability in Burma, one
of its key priorities. The regime would next form a
democratic government, where people and organizations would
be able to participate and develop the country. He noted
that the GOB's "roadmap to democracy" allowed ethnic groups
to share and express different viewpoints about the future of
Burma. He asserted that the only way to organize the people
of Burma was for the government and other organizations, such
as the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA),
to assist them through the development of social services and
infrastructure.


3. (C) Htay Oo proudly discussed the role of USDA in
maintaining stability in Burma. The organization's primary
purpose was to assist the people, he claimed. With more than
25 million members, the USDA worked along side the government
to develop infrastructure and social services at the
grassroots level, including building schools and clinics. He
acknowledged that some members of the USDA did not have "good
attitudes or behavior," but denounced stories that USDA
members arrested pro-democracy activists. When the Charge
inquired about the often brutal activities of Swan Arr Shin,
a group of USDA thugs, against peaceful protestors, the
Minister acted as though he had never heard the term before.
He reiterated the good work of the USDA, noting his belief
that bad people should be punished while the good should be
assisted.


4. (C) Asked whether USDA would form a political party to
participate in the 2010 elections, Minister Htay Oo avoided
the question, stating that it was "up to the people to
decide."

Promoting Agricultural Development
--------------


5. (C) The Charge noted that the United States provided
significant agricultural assistance to Burma in the 1950s and
1960s. The USG might be willing to provide additional
assistance after real, meaningful political change occurred
in Burma. She expressed her hope that the 2010 elections
would meet international standards and that Burma would form

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a democratic government that allowed people to discuss views
peacefully without fear of repression or arrest. The Charge
inquired about whether the GOB would be open to a dialogue on
agricultural policies and how to promote economic growth.


6. (C) Instead of answering her question, Minister Htay Oo
launched into an explanation of his Ministry's programs to
promote agricultural development. He noted that due to
Ministry of Agriculture projects, the economic conditions of
farmers, roughly 70 percent of the population, had improved
dramatically. Burma had moved toward a market-based system,
where farmers are able to buy and sell without State control,
he explained. The GOB, he opined, was "ready to collaborate"
on any training opportunities and cited the Ministry's work
with ASEAN and the FAO on food security issues. He also
discussed briefly the GOB's difficulties in controlling the
smuggling of rice to neighboring countries.

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


7. (C) Rumors abound that Major General Htay Oo will resign
as Minister of Agriculture and Secretary General of USDA so
he can form a political party to participate in the 2010
elections. Htay Oo reportedly is a favorite of the senior
generals and allegedly has the ear of Than Shwe. UN agencies
and INGOs praised his assistance in getting relief supplies
to the delta after Cyclone Nargis. However, he came across
as nothing more than hot air, filibustering at length without
offering anything of substance.
VILLAROSA