BURMA: ASSK APPEAL HEARING SET FOR JUNE 24;

UNCLAS RANGOON 000381 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP, IO, AND CA/OCS/ACS/EAP; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC PGOV PHUM PREL BM SUBJECT: BURMA: ASSK APPEAL HEARING SET FOR JUNE 24; CONSULAR ACCESS TO YETTAW REF: A. RANGOON 341 ¶B. RANGOON 369 Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Supreme Court announced it will hear arguments on June 24 in the Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) appeal to readmit two defense witnesses. The next trial court session is scheduled to take place on June 26. Vice Consul met with Amcit John Yettaw for 40 minutes on June 20. Yettaw continues his fast, and his health has declined since our last consular visit. He was on an intravenous drip and had to be assisted into the room. Yettaw told Vice Consul he will begin eating again on June 26, but would refuse all food and water (other than the IV) until that time. End Summary. ASSK Trial -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On June 19, the Supreme Court announced it would hear substantive arguments on June 24 in the appeal to reinstate two defense witnesses in ASSK's trial. ASSK's lawyers told us they do not know when the high court will issue its decision. ASSK's legal team earlier had successfully appealed the trial court's decision to bar one defense witness -- National League for Democracy (NLD) member and lawyer Daw Khin Mot Mot, who has yet to take the stand. The lawyers now are asking the Supreme Court to permit detained NLD Vice Chairman U Tin Oo and NLD Central Executive Committee Member Win Tin to be witnesses. ¶3. (SBU) The trial court is scheduled to reconvene on June ¶26. ASSK's lawyers noted they do not know what will happen when the trial court next meets. Much will depend on what the Supreme Court decides at the June 24 hearing. Consular Access to Yettaw -------------- ¶4. (SBU) On June 20, Vice Consul met with John Yettaw for approximately 40 minutes at Insein Prison. For the first time, the Prison Director, rather than the lower-ranking Prison Superintendant, was present, along with the usual array of government officials. Prior to the meeting, the Prison Director reported that Yettaw, who is normally very active, had remained in bed in his cell for the entire day on June 18. Out of concern for Yettaw's health, the Prison Director asked that Yettaw be brought to the meeting in a wheelchair. Ultimately, when Yettaw entered, he was walking, but was supported on the arms of two prison guards and had an IV attached to his arm. ¶5. (SBU) Yettaw has been fasting for 46 days, but declared that he will begin eating again on June 26. He explained to Vice Consul that he intends to forgo water in addition to food for the final days of the fast (note: until now he has only been refusing food). He said he allows prison doctors to feed him liquids and vitamins through an IV. He complained of dizziness during the meeting. Vice Consul urged Yettaw to end his fast. Yettaw stated that he would do so on June 26 and would not fast again while in Burma. Yettaw said he has been well-treated by prison officials. DINGER