Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RANGOON718
2009-10-29 10:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
BURMA: SEVERAL JOURNALISTS, ACTIVISTS ARRESTED;
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C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000718
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: SEVERAL JOURNALISTS, ACTIVISTS ARRESTED;
WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN
Classified By: Political Officer Marc Shaw for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000718
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: SEVERAL JOURNALISTS, ACTIVISTS ARRESTED;
WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN
Classified By: Political Officer Marc Shaw for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (SBU) EMBASSY sources have confirmed media reports that
authorities in Rangoon arrested seven members of Lin Let Kye
(Burmese for &shining star8) ) a group of approximately 40
young social activists and Rangoon-based journalists that was
formed in May 2008 to assist in the Cyclone Nargis relief
effort. The two most prominent, arrested on October 27, were
Thant Zin Soe -- editor of Foreign Affairs Weekly (a sister
publication of The Voice) -- and freelance journalist Paing
Soe Oo. According to media reports, authorities also
detained Ka Gyi, Zaw Gyi, Lai Ron, Shwe Moe, and Aung Myat
Thu on October 26. The whereabouts of the seven are unknown.
2. (C) Our sources do not know why authorities targeted Lin
Let Kye members, but suspect it was because of an alleged
connection to exile border groups. Thant Zin Soe's colleague
told us the government remains suspicious of activists and
journalists believed to be working with exile groups,
especially if money crosses the border. In this case, our
sources believe, but cannot be certain, that hundi system (an
informal money transfer system) informants may have
tipped-off the government to the activities of Lin Let Kye
group members. Comment: If so, that would be a particularly
troubling development for activists who frequently rely on
the informal hundi system to receive funding from abroad.
DINGER
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: SEVERAL JOURNALISTS, ACTIVISTS ARRESTED;
WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN
Classified By: Political Officer Marc Shaw for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (SBU) EMBASSY sources have confirmed media reports that
authorities in Rangoon arrested seven members of Lin Let Kye
(Burmese for &shining star8) ) a group of approximately 40
young social activists and Rangoon-based journalists that was
formed in May 2008 to assist in the Cyclone Nargis relief
effort. The two most prominent, arrested on October 27, were
Thant Zin Soe -- editor of Foreign Affairs Weekly (a sister
publication of The Voice) -- and freelance journalist Paing
Soe Oo. According to media reports, authorities also
detained Ka Gyi, Zaw Gyi, Lai Ron, Shwe Moe, and Aung Myat
Thu on October 26. The whereabouts of the seven are unknown.
2. (C) Our sources do not know why authorities targeted Lin
Let Kye members, but suspect it was because of an alleged
connection to exile border groups. Thant Zin Soe's colleague
told us the government remains suspicious of activists and
journalists believed to be working with exile groups,
especially if money crosses the border. In this case, our
sources believe, but cannot be certain, that hundi system (an
informal money transfer system) informants may have
tipped-off the government to the activities of Lin Let Kye
group members. Comment: If so, that would be a particularly
troubling development for activists who frequently rely on
the informal hundi system to receive funding from abroad.
DINGER