STATE-RUN MEDIA WARNS AGAINST PROTEST, STEPS UP

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000530 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM SUBJECT: STATE-RUN MEDIA WARNS AGAINST PROTEST, STEPS UP CRITICISM OF U.S. REF: RANGOON 518 RANGOON 00000530 001.4 OF 002 Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) In the run up to the 8/8/88 anniversary and the August 11 verdict in the Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) trial, several articles and editorials in the government mouthpiece "New Light of Myanmar" (NLM) sent warnings to pro-democracy groups while simultaneously ratcheting up anti-U.S. rhetoric. Articles have been particularly heavy-handed, even by NLM standards, in one case laying out the increasingly violent steps security forces will take -- including "opening fire" -- to deal with any unrest. End Summary. Peace and Stability the Only Way to Democracy -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In the period surrounding the 8/8/88 anniversary and ASSK verdict, a number of NLM editions have sought to preempt violence. A number of editorials demonized past anti-government protests, particularly those in 1988, and warned that the country could return to this lawless period should activists object to ASSK's verdict and the regime's "roadmap to democracy." One article also outlined in detail the steps security forces would take to quell potential rioters, beginning with targeting protesters with fire hoses and teargas and concluding with forces having to "open fire at the mobs" should less extreme measures prove ineffective. ¶3. (SBU) Other recent NLM editions have warned against longer-term efforts to disrupt the regime's roadmap and next year's elections (described as the "first giant step" for democracy in Burma). One editorial warned that if the elections are marred by disorder, it will be hard for the regime "to take more steps." Another pointed out that the Burmese people in 1990 were not ready for a multi-party political system, which is why the regime had to retake power. Than Shwe's Benevolence -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The August 12 NLM, published the day after ASSK's verdict (ref A),switched focus, highlighting the benevolence of the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) for its role in commuting the sentence. One article lauded the SPDC for ensuring peace and stability by taking into consideration ASSK's familial ties and the importance of the democratic process. This move in fact "created good opportunities for the future of (the) country." A second piece lavishly praised the "visionary" Than Shwe for saving ASSK from three years of hard labor, describing him as magnanimous and sympathetic to the circumstances surrounding her arrest. "Democracy Cannot Be Imported" -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The NLM's recent trend of stepped up anti-American rhetoric has not abated with the conclusion of ASSK's trial, however. Earlier editions, for example, criticized the Bush administration's policy of promoting political reforms through regime change. Citing the examples of Afghanistan and Iraq, the NLM highlighted that democratization cannot be achieved through this method and says the Afghanistan and Iraq "have proved that democracy cannot be imported, like a product." The day after the ASSK verdict, the NLM included an editorial calling the USG a human rights violator for actions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo. The editorial claims the "hegemonic" United States "is meddling in world affairs" and is "attempting to oppress the countries that are making themselves stronger." The article states that the RANGOON 00000530 002 OF 002 Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) U.S. is eyeing the geographically strategic Burma to "install a puppet government in Myanmar in order to expand its military power in Asia." Comment ¶6. (C) The GOB frequently uses Ncm editorials to send a message to the public and Western audiences. Talk of a "wiping out" dissidents and "bashing neocolonialists" appears on a regular basis, but recent editorials have been more blatant than usual. The regime has so far navigated both the 8/8/88 anniversary and ASSK's verdict with no unrest, but its sensitivity to protests and focus on the "roadmap" and elections mean we can expect similar themes in the future. Dinger