BURMA: AUNG SAN SUU KYI,S HEALTH IMPROVES; DR.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000271 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM SUBJECT: BURMA: AUNG SAN SUU KYI,S HEALTH IMPROVES; DR. DOUGLAS, AMCIT STILL IN CUSTODY WITH NO ACCESS GRANTED REF: A. RANGOON 263 ¶B. RANGOON 264 ¶C. RANGOON 266 Classified By: P/E Chief Jennifer Harhigh for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Dr. Pyone Moe Ei was granted access to Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) on May 11 and found her in better health, according to National League for Democracy (NLD) Spokesperson Nyan Win. ASSK's primary physician, Dr. Tin Myo Win (aka Douglas),remains in detention and her lawyer has not been allowed to visit. As of COB May 12, Embassy Rangoon had still not obtained consular access to detained Amcit John Yettaw. Meanwhile the two Embassy-sponsored journalism trainers deported from Burma May 7 have released a detailed statement describing the circumstances surrounding their expulsion (emailed to EAP/MLS). Post offers proposed press guidance on ASSK's situation and the two deported Amcit trainers in paras 8-9. End Summary. ASSK's Health Improves -------------- ¶2. (C) NLD spokesperson Nyan Win informed us that after being denied access over the weekend, Dr. Pyone Moe Ei was permitted to examine ASSK May 11 from about 1:15 p.m. to 5:40 p.m. The doctor met Nyan Win the evening of May 11 and told him ASSK's blood pressure had improved since her last examination on May 8 (Ref A). The doctor provided ASSK with oral rehydration salts and an intravenous drip for mild dehydration, and ASSK apparently suffered a muscle cramp in her leg when the intravenous drip was administered. According to Nyan Win, Dr. Pyone Moe Ei informed authorities that the cramp warranted further examination; however, she did not request another meeting with ASSK. Nyan Win told us he does not know the underlying cause for ASSK's recent medical issues. We have been unsuccessful thus far in our efforts to communicate directly with Dr. Pyone Moe Ei. ¶3. (C) Nyan Win reported that the NLD plans to issue a statement or a letter to the regime expressing concern about ASSK's health. We in turn passed the NLD a copy of the Department's May 10 press release concerning ASSK. ASSK's Doctor Still In Custody -------------- ¶4. (C) According to Nyan Win, Dr. Douglas, ASSK's primary physician, remains in custody at an undisclosed location. Authorities have not provided any information concerning his whereabouts or the grounds for his detention. Nyan Win told us Dr. Pyone Moe Ei delivered food to authorities May 11 for onward distribution to Dr. Douglas, and confirmed police collected medicine, clothing, and religious books from his house May 7 and 8, presumably to give to the doctor. We have seen press reports indicating Dr. Douglas was in court May 12, but have not been able to confirm them. ASSK's Lawyer Continues To Seek Access -------------- ¶5. (C) ASSK's attorney, Kyi Win (aka Neville),told us May 12 that he still has not received a response to his request to meet with his client to discuss the status of her appeal. He intends to continue to seek a meeting with her. Still No Consular Access to Amcit Prisoner -------------- ¶6. (C) Despite repeated requests, Embassy Rangoon still has not obtained consular access to Amcit John Yettaw, who was RANGOON 00000271 002 OF 002 arrested after he allegedly swam to and stayed at ASSK's house for two nights (Ref B). According to Nyan Win, Dr. Pyone Moe Ei did not discuss Yettaw with ASSK. Post continues to receive inquiries from other Embassies and the press about this case. Deported American Trainers Release Statement -------------- ¶7. (SBU) On May 11, two deported Amcit journalism trainers issued a press release on http://ramblingspoon.com/blog. The press release provides a detailed account of the circumstances of their arrest and deportation. The two trainers, brought to Burma as consultants under a grant from the U.S. Embassy, were arrested shortly after concluding classes on feature writing and photography in Mandalay (Ref C). In the press release, they state they were never given a reason for their arrest and deportation and were not interrogated or mistreated. Proposed Press Guidance on ASSK -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Embassy Rangoon proposes the following language for a press statement or press guidance concerning ASSK's situation. -- We understand a physician was able to examine Aung San Suu Kyi on May 11 after Burmese authorities had denied medical access to her for two days, and that Aung San Suu Kyi's health has improved. The United States welcomes this development but remains concerned about Aung San Suu Kyi's welfare. We call on Burmese authorities to ensure Aung San Suu Kyi receives medical care without delay whenever it is needed. -- We also call on the Burmese government to release her primary personal physician, Dr. Tin Myo Win, who remains in custody, and to permit Aung San Suu Kyi to meet with her personal attorney. -- As the United States and the international community have repeatedly stressed, Burma should immediately release Aung Sang Suu Kyi and the more than 2,100 political prisoners the regime currently holds. Additional Press Guidance on Two Deported Amcit Trainers -------------- -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Embassy offers the following additional press guidance on the two deported Amcit trainers, which draws in part on their press release. We have been in contact with the Amcits and they have approved the use of this language. -- We can confirm that two American citizens were deported from Burma on Thursday, May 7. The U.S. Embassy in Rangoon met with the individuals prior to their departure. -- As the private citizens have noted in a public statement, they were in Burma conducting training classes on feature writing and photography under a grant from the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon. -- These courses were a regular part of ongoing Embassy-sponsored educational activities in Burma. -- We cannot provide any further details about this matter, but understand the American citizens have been speaking to the press directly about their circumstances. DINGER