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