BURMA: NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY: PROTESTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000320

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY: PROTESTS
POSSIBLE, BUT NOT PLANNED

REF: A. RANGOON 312

B. RANGOON 314

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

Summary
--------------


1. (C) On May 28, police near Insein Prison arrested a solo
protestor who unfurled a sign calling for Aung San Suu Kyi's
(ASSK) release. Authorities have increased the security
presence in Rangoon to guard against mass protests. National
League for Democracy (NLD) leaders told us the party has no
plans to organize protests. They noted, however, that they
cannot predict or control what Aung San Suu Kyi's many
supporters may do, and the that party would "take a stand" if
demonstrations break out.


2. (C) NLD spokesman and ASSK attorney Nyan Win reported
that ASSK is fatigued from the trial, but stressed that her
general health is still good. The NLD issued a statement May
28 lamenting that ASSK did not have adequate time to consult
with her attorneys and complaining about the disqualification
of three defense witnesses (Ref A). NLD Central Executive
Committee member Win Tin conducted a lengthy radio interview
with the Democratic Voice of Burma summarizing what would
have been his testimony; it will air in Burma this week. End
Summary.

Solo Protestor Arrested
--------------


3. (SBU) NLD Central Executive Committee member Win Tin
confirmed to us that on the afternoon of May 28, police near
Insein Prison quickly arrested a solo protestor who unfurled
a sign calling for ASSK's release. In a May 29 meeting with
Poloff, Win Tin said the 60-year-old protestor, U Zaw Nyunt,
is not an NLD member and appears to have acted alone. Police
have not revealed any information about U Zaw Nyunt's
location or condition.

No NLD Plans for Protest, But Police on High Alert
-------------- --------------


4. (C) The Deputy Commander of Rangoon's Armed Police
Battalion (charged with crowd control) told our Regional
Security Officer that police have increased their presence
throughout the city, allegedly in response to information the
NLD will lead demonstrations on May 30. Win Tin told Poloff
that the NLD has no plans to organize protests, but cautioned
the party leadership cannot predict or control what ASSK's
many supporters may do. Win Tin expressed concern
authorities might respond aggressively if mass demonstrations
break out, but said "if something does happen, we can't sit
down." NLD official Han Thar Myint elaborated that, unlike
the monk-led protests in 2007 in which the NLD played no
role, the party's leadership would not be able to remain
passive if pro-ASSK demonstrations broke out. "She is our
leader, so we would have to take a stand," he said.


5. (C) Win Tin pointed out that he and a number of other NLD
members have maintained a daily silent vigil near Insein
prison since the trial began; they will resume the vigil on
June 1 when court convenes to hear closing arguments (Ref B).
He told us that in addition, ASSK supporters from as far
away as Mandalay and Chin State have traveled to Insein to
show their support, and that local residents have provided
him and others with food and water in a show of solidarity.
Win Tin stated that while the NLD presence may be limited,
the overall number of ASSK supporters present each day near
the prison "is in the thousands." "Our presence is our
protest," Win Tin said, "hopefully that will be enough."
(Note: Consul has observed approximately 300 people who
appear to be participating in the vigil each day of the

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trial, but the area is extremely crowded with other people
conducting their daily business. End note.)

NLD Statement Laments Trial Procedures
--------------


6. (U) On May 28, the NLD issued a statement lamenting that
ASSK did not have adequate time to consult with her attorneys
during her trial. The statement also criticized the judges'
decision to disqualify three of the four proposed defense
witnesses, noting that all of the prosecution's 15 witnesses
were permitted to testify. The statement concludes by
asserting that by these actions, the GOB has violated the UN
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its own law.

Win Tin's Testimony
--------------


7. (C) In his meeting with us, Win Tin also criticized the
court's refusal to let him and NLD Vice Chairman U Tin Oo
testify. He stated that he intended to serve as a character
witness and would have testified to ASSK's integrity and
patriotism. Denied that opportunity, Win Tin instead
conducted a lengthy radio interview with the Democratic Voice
of Burma (DVB) summarizing what would have been his
testimony. DVB will air the interview in Burma over the next
several days.

ASSK Tired But in Generally Good Health
--------------


8. (SBU) NLD spokesman and ASSK attorney Nyan Win told us
May 29 that ASSK is fatigued from the trial, but stressed
that her general health is still good. Nyan Win reported
that on May 28, ASSK told him she was suffering stomach
cramps that prevented her from getting a good night's sleep.
She pointed out, however, that the chief medical officer at
Insein prison was closely monitoring her health and has been
very attentive. ASSK's legal team is expected to meet with
their client on May 30 to discuss the case, at which time
Nyan Win will inquire further about her health.

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


9. (C) While the NLD has told us it has no plans to
demonstrate, as Win Tin cautioned and yesterday's solo
protestor showed, there are individuals who are willing to
take to the streets in support of ASSK. Moreover, the
regime's show of force in places where people normally gather
-- like Insein -- raises both tensions and the possibility
that a spontaneous, unforeseen incident could spark protests
as has happened in the past.
DINGER