Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RANGOON469
2009-07-27 11:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
BURMA: STATE MEDIA IMPLIES A REGIME REBUFF OF
how-toVZCZCXRO7059 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH RUEHTRO DE RUEHGO #0469 2081102 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 271102Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9276 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2182 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 5650 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9250 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6829 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 4631 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2626 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000469
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: STATE MEDIA IMPLIES A REGIME REBUFF OF
U.S. OFFER
Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000469
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: STATE MEDIA IMPLIES A REGIME REBUFF OF
U.S. OFFER
Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (C) Summary. The state-controlled "New Light of Myanmar"
newspaper (NLM) has commented on Secretary Clinton's July 22
call to release Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK). Two recent op-eds
under pseudonyms have emphasized GOB past themes: that the
ASSK case is an internal, domestic matter; that outsiders
must not interfere in internal affairs; and that U.S. bases
in Asia are a threat to the region. The articles suggest the
trial will continue under the regime's rules regardless of
any misgivings the international community may harbor. End
summary.
No One is Above the Law
--------------
2. (SBU) On the sidelines of the July 22-23 ASEAN meeting in
Phuket, Thailand, Secretary Clinton urged the Burmese regime
to release ASSK, thereby opening opportunities for the
U.S.-Burma relationship, including renewed investment by U.S.
firms. In a July 24 op-ed under a pseudonym (a common GOB
device for conveying regime views),the author claims that
continued requests and expectations for ASSK's release
suggest she is "above the law." The article argues that
ASSK, like any offender, broke the law and must face the
consequences of her actions. Her case is solely the concern
of the court, and "the court will hand down a reasonable term
to her if she is found guilty, and it will release her if she
is found not guilty." The author claims that the regime did
not want to prosecute ASSK but, as with any criminal, it was
forced to take action.
Paranoia Reigns Supreme
--------------
3. (SBU) A more strongly-worded op-ed in the July 26 edition
of the NLM directly addresses Secretary Clinton,s remarks,
calling the international community,s demands for the
release of ASSK and all political prisoners to ensure a free
and fair election "unreasonable." The author claims that the
main purpose for demanding ASSK,s release is that ASSK is
the kind of person "who could dance to their (U.S. and
Western powers') tune." The author adds that the power that
invaded Iraq is "desperate to interfere in the affairs of and
invade a small country like Myanmar.... In fact they are
bullying small countries." The author accuses the U.S. of
wielding its influence to manipulate ASEAN and disrupt the
unity and cooperation among ASEAN countries.
Comment
--------------
4. (C) While an op-ed in the NLM is not a definitive
statement of GOB policy, nothing political appears in that
newspaper unless the regime intends it to be there. In the
past few days, other NLM op-eds have taken equivalent swipes
at the EU governments and the UN. One receives the
impression that the regime's initial response to recent
events, including the ASEAN meetings in Phuket, is to back
further into a corner.
DINGER
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: STATE MEDIA IMPLIES A REGIME REBUFF OF
U.S. OFFER
Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (C) Summary. The state-controlled "New Light of Myanmar"
newspaper (NLM) has commented on Secretary Clinton's July 22
call to release Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK). Two recent op-eds
under pseudonyms have emphasized GOB past themes: that the
ASSK case is an internal, domestic matter; that outsiders
must not interfere in internal affairs; and that U.S. bases
in Asia are a threat to the region. The articles suggest the
trial will continue under the regime's rules regardless of
any misgivings the international community may harbor. End
summary.
No One is Above the Law
--------------
2. (SBU) On the sidelines of the July 22-23 ASEAN meeting in
Phuket, Thailand, Secretary Clinton urged the Burmese regime
to release ASSK, thereby opening opportunities for the
U.S.-Burma relationship, including renewed investment by U.S.
firms. In a July 24 op-ed under a pseudonym (a common GOB
device for conveying regime views),the author claims that
continued requests and expectations for ASSK's release
suggest she is "above the law." The article argues that
ASSK, like any offender, broke the law and must face the
consequences of her actions. Her case is solely the concern
of the court, and "the court will hand down a reasonable term
to her if she is found guilty, and it will release her if she
is found not guilty." The author claims that the regime did
not want to prosecute ASSK but, as with any criminal, it was
forced to take action.
Paranoia Reigns Supreme
--------------
3. (SBU) A more strongly-worded op-ed in the July 26 edition
of the NLM directly addresses Secretary Clinton,s remarks,
calling the international community,s demands for the
release of ASSK and all political prisoners to ensure a free
and fair election "unreasonable." The author claims that the
main purpose for demanding ASSK,s release is that ASSK is
the kind of person "who could dance to their (U.S. and
Western powers') tune." The author adds that the power that
invaded Iraq is "desperate to interfere in the affairs of and
invade a small country like Myanmar.... In fact they are
bullying small countries." The author accuses the U.S. of
wielding its influence to manipulate ASEAN and disrupt the
unity and cooperation among ASEAN countries.
Comment
--------------
4. (C) While an op-ed in the NLM is not a definitive
statement of GOB policy, nothing political appears in that
newspaper unless the regime intends it to be there. In the
past few days, other NLM op-eds have taken equivalent swipes
at the EU governments and the UN. One receives the
impression that the regime's initial response to recent
events, including the ASEAN meetings in Phuket, is to back
further into a corner.
DINGER