BURMA: CHARGE MEETS WITH U WIN TIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000798

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP, IOL; AND PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: CHARGE MEETS WITH U WIN TIN

Classified By: Pol Officer Sean O'Neill for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)

Summary
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1. (C) In an October 9 meeting, recently-released political
prisoner Win Tin told Charge he hopes to use his freedom and
reputation to inspire people to become more active in the
pro-democracy movement and to reach out to opposition and
ethnic groups outside the NLD. He acknowledged that his 19
years in prison were difficult - including periods when he
was subject to abuse -- and the isolation has left him out of
touch. He said he is reacquainting himself with his country,
his party, and the issues they face. He stressed his
priority is to work towards the release of all political
prisoners and a genuine dialogue with the regime rather than
focus on the regime's 2010 elections. When asked how he
hopes to accomplish his goals, Win Tin demurred, saying he
needs time first to readjust and discuss the issues with his
colleagues before coming up with specific proposals. End
Summary.

Admiration from all Americans
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2. (C) On October 9, Charge, accompanied by Poloff, met with
former political prisoner Win Tin at NLD headquarters in
Rangoon. Charge conveyed to Win Tin the admiration and well
wishes of all Americans, including the First Lady. He
stressed that the United States stands committed to working
for the release of all of Burma's political prisoners and a
transition to a genuine democracy. He invited Win Tin to
share his thoughts on how we can work with the Burmese people
to help achieve this goal, both now and in the future.

Need for genuine dialogue
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3. (C) Win Tin, who has re-assumed a position on the NLD
Central Executive Committee, highlighted the importance of
fostering a genuine dialogue among the regime, opposition
elements, and ethnic groups. He told us that dialogue,
rather than the 2010 elections, is a top priority. "I'm not
thinking towards the 2010 elections," he said, because the
hope is to establish a dialogue in which the elections, and
most of Burma's other political and social issues, can be
discussed. He made clear that the NLD's position on the
illegitimacy of the regime's "roadmap to democracy" is firm,
but he also stressed that without dialogue, disagreements
over the elections or the constitution likely will not be
resolved. Win Tin acknowledged that some other opposition
groups may be interested in participating in the 2010
elections, but he said he has not had the opportunity to
speak with them yet.

Need release of all political prisoners, including ASSK
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4. (C) Win Tin stated that genuine dialogue is not possible
unless Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners are
released. To this end, Win Tin spoke of his efforts to use
his celebrity status to raise awareness of the plight of all
political prisoners and to inspire people to become involved
in the movement to free them.

No travel plans
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5. (C) Win Tin fears that traveling beyond Rangoon would pose
a risk to those with whom he meets, but said he will meet
discretely with as many people as he can in Rangoon. He
flatly ruled out any thought of travel outside of Burma,
noting that he most likely would not receive a passport and,
at least as likely, if he were to leave, the regime would not
allow him to return.

Building links with other opposition elements
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6. (C) Charge noted Win Tin's recent public comments in
which he offered to serve as a conduit between the NLD and
other opposition and ethnic groups. Win Tin reiterated his
desire to help the NLD reach out to these organizations as
well as to those within the party who may disagree with its
leadership. It is not important to agree on all of the large
issues, Win Tin remarked, but it is important to build a
strong working relationship among all interested parties.
Win Tin told us that while he has not yet met with any other
opposition groups, he has heard from some journalists that
his comments were well received by some leaders of other
opposition organizations.

Prison conditions difficult
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7. (C) Win Tin lamented that his 19 years in prison were
difficult and have left him "out of touch." He told us that
since his release, he has been taking the time to reacquaint
himself with his country, his party, and the issues they
face. Win Tin described how, for most of the time he was
incarcerated, authorities kept him in solitary confinement
and denied him, a former journalist, the opportunity to read.
Despite such restrictions, he recounted how, at various
points in his sentence, he and other political prisoners were
able to find ways to communicate and even smuggle newspapers,
books, and a radio into prison. He also described instances
of physical and mental abuse officials subjected him to in
the early part of his imprisonment, including sleep
deprivation, hooding, and physical assaults by his
interrogators. But Win Tin said that worst of all, his time
in prison was tedious and robbed him of the intellectual
stimulation he craves.

Motive for release a mystery; but not spur of moment
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8. (C) Win Tin said he could not speculate as to the motives
behind his release and told us he is perplexed as to why
officials let him go now. He did however point out that on
five occasions over the past 19 years, officials offered him
early release if he agreed to sign a pledge to avoid future
involvement with the NLD and politics. On each occasion he
refused out of a sense of duty to the NLD and his country.
He noted that around five months ago, prison officials moved
him to a considerably larger cell, allowed him more access to
reading materials, and began to allow him more opportunities
to exercise.

Comment
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9. (C) U Win Tin is a remarkable, courageous man. His
commitment to the cause of freedom is inspiring. By his own
admission, the 79 year old is not the energetic man he was 19
years ago, has a failing memory, and, at this stage at least,
is not looking to lead the pro-democracy movement. But if,
as planned, he can use the respect he has earned to begin to
unite various democratic groups, he will go a long way
towards ensuring a better future for his country. We will do
what we can to help him. End Comment.
DINGER