BURMA -- NLD ASKS CHARGE TO RECONFIRM TO THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000367 STATE FOR EAP E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/16/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM SUBJECT: BURMA -- NLD ASKS CHARGE TO RECONFIRM TO THE REGIME THE PARTY'S INTEREST IN DIALOGUE WITH FLEXIBILITY ABOUT LEVEL REF: A. RANGOON 342 ¶B. RANGOON 327 ¶C. RANGOON 321 ¶D. RANGOON 302 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (C) On June 16, National League for Democracy (NLD) Central Executive Committee (CEC) member Khin Maung Swe followed up on conversations with the Charge (see Ref A and previous) regarding the NLD's aspiration to begin a new dialogue with the Burma regime. Khin Maung Swe asked the Charge to pass to an appropriate regime official, perhaps the Labor and Relations Minister that the top leadership of the NLD has now clearly designated CEC members Than Tun and Khin Maung Swe, plus an NLD lawyer, to represent the NLD for the beginning of such discussion. Khin Maung Swe said NLD Chairman Aung Shwe made that call, and Aung San Suu Kyi (during a conversation with her lawyers) blessed it. ASSK reportedly emphasized that Than Tun should be in the mix. ¶2. (C) Charge noted mixed messages among the NLD interlocutors during the Ref A meeting concerning the preferred regime level for beginning re-engagement. Khin Maung Swe reported the NLD senior leadership does not have a strong view on that issue. A Minister, perhaps the Labor Minister, would be fine; a lower level or a military channel could be OK, too. Khin Maung Swe said the NLD expects that, if the regime wishes to respond to the NLD expression of interest, someone from Police Special Branch will make contact to work out details, including who would represent the regime. ¶3. (C) Charge agreed to try to pass the latest NLD message to an appropriate contact in Nay Pyi Taw, while noting he could not guarantee instant access. Khin Maung Swe understood. He offered thanks for the Charge's support to help the party achieve its dialogue goals. DINGER