SUBJECT: BURMA: NLD'S WIN TIN QUESTIONED; ASSK

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000608

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: SUBJECT: BURMA: NLD'S WIN TIN QUESTIONED; ASSK
MEETS LAWYERS

RANGOON 00000608 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Political Officer Marc Shaw for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)

Summary
--------------


1. (C) In a September 14 meeting with P/E Chief and Poloff,
National League for Democracy (NLD) Central Executive
Committee (CEC) member Win Tin confirmed media reports that
he was detained and released by Burmese police September 12.
Special Branch officers questioned Win Tin for one and a half
hours at a police interrogation center in northern Rangoon
about his alleged involvement in financial- and
political-related activities. Win Tin rejected the
accusations. He told us he believes the authorities are
seeking to intimidate him in the wake of his September 9
Washington Post editorial and might call him back for
additional questioning. The 80 year-old Win Tin told us he
feels well despite recent health problems.


2. (C) At the same meeting, NLD Spokesman Nyan Win relayed
that Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) met with her lawyers for two
hours on September 10 to discuss her appeal, which the
Divisional Court will hear September 18. Nyan Win reported
that ASSK has formally requested a meeting with the CEC and
other NLD members. End summary.

Win Tin Questioned about Financial, Political Dealings
-------------- --------------


3. (C) NLD CEC member and former political prisoner Win Tin
confirmed media reports that he was detained and released by
authorities on September 12. This was Win Tin's first
interrogation since being released last year after serving a
20-year prison term. He told P/E Chief and Poloff that he
initially turned away a township-level police chief, who
arrived at his home at 10:30a.m. to take him into custody for
questioning. He resisted, telling the police chief he was
not going anywhere without explanation of where he was going,
why authorities were taking him, and the topics about which
police wanted to question him. Around 11:00a.m., according
to Win Tin, division-level police officers arrived at his
house in a car, requesting that he come in for questioning at
headquarters (located in Thamine Township, north Rangoon)
about "financial- and political-related matters." He
complied. Authorities questioned Win Tin for one and a half
hours, but he was in custody for a total of five and a half
hours (11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Win Tin told us he had to
wait while authorities sought guidance from Nay Pyi Taw.


4. (C) Win Tin said he rejected authorities' accusations
that he was involved in questionable financial- and
political-related matters. Authorities told Win Tin that
some NLD youth members, who were detained six or seven months
ago, had provided his name during interrogation as being
involved in such activities. Win Tin did not provide further
details, but told us he had done nothing illegal. He said he
responded to the authorities that if they have evidence that
he committed a crime, they should press charges and try him
in court. He added that as a CEC member, he could not
possibly break the law and joked that this was especially
true since authorities keep track of his whereabouts (Note:
He is regularly monitored by police). Win Tin speculated
that the real reason behind his detention was the GOB's
effort to intimidate him in response to his recent Washington
Post editorial, "An 'Election' Burma's People Don't Need,"
which criticized the regime. (Note: According to Win Tin,
authorities did not raise the editorial during questioning.
End note.)

Another Round of Questioning?
--------------


5. (C) Upon release, police told Win Tin they might call him
back for questioning, saying they have "strong evidence"
against him. Win Tin told us he cautioned the police that he
will not cooperate with them next time unless they show up
with a legal justification for taking him into custody,

RANGOON 00000608 002.2 OF 002


information on whom he will meet, and the reasons behind his
detention. Win Tin repeated throughout the meeting that
authorities often go too far in Burma, showing up on people's
doorstep to demand they come for questioning without
mentioning the charges or providing justification. He told
us he will continue to be open about his views, and added
that he spoke with the media immediately after returning from
his interrogation. Win Tin noted that authorities were
"quite civilized" in their treatment of him, perhaps -- he
joked -- because he is an old man. The 80 year-old Win Tin
told us he feels well despite having a pacemaker installed
recently and having three defective heart valves.

ASSK Discusses Appeal with Lawyers
--------------


6. (C) At the same September 14 meeting, NLD Spokesman Nyan
Win relayed to P/E Chief and Poloff that ASSK met with her
lawyers for two hours on September 10 to discuss the 11 legal
points upon which she is basing her appeal. He did not
expound on the points other than to say they include the
argument that the 1974 Constitution is invalid. At ASSK's
request, Nyan Win submitted a letter to Special Branch on
September 11 to request that she be able to attend the first
court session on September 18 when lawyers will present their
arguments. On September 12, the police replied by saying the
question of her presence was a matter for the court, not the
police, to decide. Nyan Win said he interprets this response
as a denial of her request, since she is in police custody.
ASSK's lawyers will proceed as planned without ASSK present,
according to Nyan Win.


7. (C) Nyan Win noted that ASSK asked him to pass other
"political messages" (NFI) to NLD CEC members, but said he
could not share the substance of the messages with the
Embassy at this time. Nyan Win also reported that ASSK has
formally requested to see NLD CEC leaders and other NLD
members under the provisions of the SPDC directive allowing
her to receive guests. She also expressed an interest in
meeting with Rangoon-based Chiefs of Mission from the United
States, Australia, and European countries, but Nyan Win
declined to specify if she filed a formal request to do so.
He confirmed that authorities have not permitted ASSK to meet
with anyone other than her lawyers since her August 11 return
to house arrest, though he expects an architect may get
access to the compound the week of September 21.
VAJDA