Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RANGOON176
2009-03-18 08:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
BURMA: REGIME ARRESTS MORE NLD MEMBERS
how-toVZCZCXRO2622 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH RUEHTRO DE RUEHGO #0176 0770823 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 180823Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8790 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1852 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 5326 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8923 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6499 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 4331 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2317 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
UNCLAS RANGOON 000176
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: REGIME ARRESTS MORE NLD MEMBERS
UNCLAS RANGOON 000176
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: REGIME ARRESTS MORE NLD MEMBERS
1. (SBU) The National League for Democracy (NLD) told us
that the regime arrested at least the following four of its
members since the beginning of March. Authorities have not
provided any information about the whereabouts or condition
of these individuals, or the reasons for their arrests.
- Kyi Lwin, who has not been active in the party since
being paralyzed in a stroke last year, was arrested on the
morning of March 16 at his home.
- Myint Myint San (aka Ma Cho),a member the NLD's social
support committee (which helps prisoners' families),was
arrested sometime between March 6 and 13.
- Sein Hlaing, a rank and file member, was arrested
sometime between March 6 and 13.
- Shwe Gyo, a rank and file member, was arrested sometime
between March 6 and 13.
2. (SBU) We are seeking to confirm media reports that a
fifth NLD member, Ko Thein Lwin, was also arrested in March.
NLD officials noted that Ko Thein Lwin has been in hiding
since mid-February and did not have any additional
information about him.
3. (SBU) As of March 18, over 2,000 political prisoners
remain in custody. Since January 1 the regime has arrested
at least 15 activists, although some observers estimate the
number to be in excess of 20. As in these most recent cases,
the regime rarely acknowledges arrests or discloses any
information about the whereabouts or condition of the
detainees.
VAJDA
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: REGIME ARRESTS MORE NLD MEMBERS
1. (SBU) The National League for Democracy (NLD) told us
that the regime arrested at least the following four of its
members since the beginning of March. Authorities have not
provided any information about the whereabouts or condition
of these individuals, or the reasons for their arrests.
- Kyi Lwin, who has not been active in the party since
being paralyzed in a stroke last year, was arrested on the
morning of March 16 at his home.
- Myint Myint San (aka Ma Cho),a member the NLD's social
support committee (which helps prisoners' families),was
arrested sometime between March 6 and 13.
- Sein Hlaing, a rank and file member, was arrested
sometime between March 6 and 13.
- Shwe Gyo, a rank and file member, was arrested sometime
between March 6 and 13.
2. (SBU) We are seeking to confirm media reports that a
fifth NLD member, Ko Thein Lwin, was also arrested in March.
NLD officials noted that Ko Thein Lwin has been in hiding
since mid-February and did not have any additional
information about him.
3. (SBU) As of March 18, over 2,000 political prisoners
remain in custody. Since January 1 the regime has arrested
at least 15 activists, although some observers estimate the
number to be in excess of 20. As in these most recent cases,
the regime rarely acknowledges arrests or discloses any
information about the whereabouts or condition of the
detainees.
VAJDA