Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RANGOON442
2009-07-15 04:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
BURMA: RUMORS OF REGIME NEGOTIATIONS WITH
how-toVZCZCXRO7640 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH RUEHTRO DE RUEHGO #0442 1960428 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 150428Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9239 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2151 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 5624 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9221 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6799 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 4605 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2599 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000442
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP, IO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: RUMORS OF REGIME NEGOTIATIONS WITH
POLITICAL PRISONERS
Classified By: P/E Chief Jennifer Harhigh for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000442
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP, IO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: RUMORS OF REGIME NEGOTIATIONS WITH
POLITICAL PRISONERS
Classified By: P/E Chief Jennifer Harhigh for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (C) Prominent Burmese businessman and NGO director Nay
Win Maung (protect) told Charge July 14 that he is in touch
with the political prisoner Zarganar. Nay Win Maung reported
that regime officials currently are negotiating with
Zarganar, offering his release in exchange for affirmation of
the new constitution and acceptance of the regime's planned
2010 elections. Nay Win Maung said Zarganar believes regime
officials are also in discussion with prominent 88 Generation
Students, who reportedly seem receptive. Nay Win Maung said
an exception is Min Ko Naing, who appears unwilling to
compromise his principles. Separately, another local contact
told us he heard Zarganar is serving as a go-between for the
GOB and 88GS prisoners as they discuss a possible bargain.
2. (C) We have heard nothing concrete about the regime's
intentions to release prisoners, as Burma's UN PermRep
related to the UNSC July 13. Some local observers believe an
amnesty is likely in the coming weeks since the regime has
publicly declared its plans; most are skeptical such an
amnesty would include many prominent political prisoners. We
note that the GOB in the past has offered conditional and
restrictive terms to political prisoners in return for their
release. In the past, these terms have included requirements
to forgo participation in pro-democracy or anti-regime events
and to support the implementation of the "Roadmap to
Democracy."
DINGER
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP, IO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: RUMORS OF REGIME NEGOTIATIONS WITH
POLITICAL PRISONERS
Classified By: P/E Chief Jennifer Harhigh for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (C) Prominent Burmese businessman and NGO director Nay
Win Maung (protect) told Charge July 14 that he is in touch
with the political prisoner Zarganar. Nay Win Maung reported
that regime officials currently are negotiating with
Zarganar, offering his release in exchange for affirmation of
the new constitution and acceptance of the regime's planned
2010 elections. Nay Win Maung said Zarganar believes regime
officials are also in discussion with prominent 88 Generation
Students, who reportedly seem receptive. Nay Win Maung said
an exception is Min Ko Naing, who appears unwilling to
compromise his principles. Separately, another local contact
told us he heard Zarganar is serving as a go-between for the
GOB and 88GS prisoners as they discuss a possible bargain.
2. (C) We have heard nothing concrete about the regime's
intentions to release prisoners, as Burma's UN PermRep
related to the UNSC July 13. Some local observers believe an
amnesty is likely in the coming weeks since the regime has
publicly declared its plans; most are skeptical such an
amnesty would include many prominent political prisoners. We
note that the GOB in the past has offered conditional and
restrictive terms to political prisoners in return for their
release. In the past, these terms have included requirements
to forgo participation in pro-democracy or anti-regime events
and to support the implementation of the "Roadmap to
Democracy."
DINGER