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