BURMA: ASSK CONSULTS WITH HER LAWYERS; EMBASSY

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000456 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP, IO, AND CA/OCS/ACS/EAP; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/20/2019 TAGS: CASC PGOV PHUM PREL BM SUBJECT: BURMA: ASSK CONSULTS WITH HER LAWYERS; EMBASSY AWAITING CONSULAR ACCESS TO YETTAW REF: RANGOON 452 Classified By: Political Officer Sean K. O'Neill for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (C) Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) lawyer Nyan Win confirmed that he and co-counsel U Kyi Win (aka Neville) met with ASSK for two and a half hours on July 20 at Insein prison. The detained NLD leader and her attorneys discussed their strategy for closing arguments. Nyan Win reported that ASSK remains in good health and spirits and is actively engaged in planning her defense. Closing arguments in the ASSK trial are scheduled to begin on July 24 (reftel). Nyan Win told us July 21 that he and his co-counsel have requested permission to meet with ASSK next on July 22 or 23; he is optimistic authorities will grant access. ¶2. (C) In the meantime, Charge spoke with MOFA Consular DG Min Lwin July 17 to renew our request for consular access to detained Amcit John Yettaw. The DG listened to Charge's concerns and responded, "You'll get it. Don't worry." Per MOFA request, we sent another diplomatic note July 20 formally requesting a meeting with Yettaw. Consular officers last met with him June 27. DINGER