BURMA: THAN SHWE ADDRESSES USDA ANNUAL MEETING,

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000786 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM SUBJECT: BURMA: THAN SHWE ADDRESSES USDA ANNUAL MEETING, SPDC QUARTERLY MEETING CONCLUDES Classified By: P/E Chief Jennifer Harhigh for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) On November 27, Than Shwe addressed the 2009 General Meeting of the mass-movement Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA),emphasizing the need for stability and peace and confirming elections will take place in 2010, but offering no details. The meeting also did not address, at least publicly, the USDA's planned role in the elections. Separately, the SPDC reportedly held its quarterly meeting in Nay Pyi Taw November 23-26. According to Embassy sources, a military reshuffle could be announced following the December 11 Defense Services Academy (DSA) graduation ceremony, but we cannot confirm these reports. End Summary. Than Shwe Emphasizes Peace, Stability -------------- ¶2. (C) The government-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper on November 28 published the entire text of Than Shwe's speech to the USDA annual meeting, which was held November 22-27 in Nay Pyi Taw. In his remarks, which broke no new ground, Than Shwe boasted of the great advances the country has made since 1988 under the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and its predecessor, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC): improvements in infrastructure (electric power, transportation, and communication); increased food output; development of natural resource industries; establishment of industrial zones; an increased number of privately and publicly owned factories; improved health care; and better education. He emphasized the need for stability and peace as the government works hand-in-hand with the people to "build a new nation." Than Shwe stressed that "non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity, and perpetuation of sovereignty are policies necessary to be practiced without fail." Nothing New on the 2010 Elections -------------- ¶3. (C) Than Shwe proclaimed that "free and fair" elections will be held in 2010 in accordance with the 2008 constitution, but he offered no details on timing or the publication of necessary electoral legislation. Than Shwe predicted participation by different parties, but cautioned against exile group-instigated "anarchism" as, he claimed, occurred in 1988. The SPDC leader also advised his audience that "a narrow-minded organizational attitude that is based on a person or a group" is "groundless and outdated," an apparent dig at the National League for Democracy (NLD). ¶4. (C) Despite widespread speculation that the USDA will transform into a political party to contest the 2010 vote, the organization did not make any announcement about its intentions with regard to the elections, though it is possible members discussed the issue in private sessions. SPDC Quarterly Meeting -------------- ¶5. (C) Meanwhile, the SPDC reportedly held its highly secretive quarterly meeting in Nay Pyi Taw November 23-26, according to Embassy sources. Little is known about what transpired, although there are rumors a military reshuffle could be announced following the December 11 DSA graduation ceremony. As is the commonly the case, the SPDC made no public announcements about the holding or outcome of its quarterly gathering. VAJDA