This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 001159 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV 
CINCPAC FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2012 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BM NLD
SUBJECT: NLD "UNCLES" APPRECIATE CONTINUED U.S. SUPPORT 
 
REF: A. RANGOON 1147 
 
     ¶B. RANGOON 1060 
     ¶C. RANGOON 1018 
 
Classified By: COM CARMEN M. MARTINEZ FOR REASON 1.5(D). 
 
¶1. (C)  National League for Democracy Central Executive 
Committee members ("the uncles") told Chief of Mission on 
September 9 that they appreciate continued U.S. support for 
their party and encourage increased pressure on the regime 
for democratic change.  COM Martinez agreed with the uncles 
that the regime may be backing away from political 
reconciliation at this time, but also noted that it was 
illogical to do so with the EU troika in Rangoon and the UN 
General Assembly about to convene.  She assured them of 
continued U.S. pressure for democratic reform but cautioned 
that the threat of a trade ban would be more effective than 
actually imposing the ban.  The uncles also mentioned that 
Aung San Suu Kyi has not met with Secretary One - Lt. General 
Khin Nyunt or Senior General Than Shwe since her release from 
house detention on May 6.  End Summary 
 
Uncles Thank U.S. For Continued Support; Request More Pressure 
 
¶2. (C)  At an introductory meeting with Chief of Mission 
Carmen Martinez on September 9, NLD Chairman U Aung Shwe, 
Vice Chairman U Tin Oo, Secretary U Lwin, and Central 
Executive Committee member U Nyunt Wei (the uncles) said they 
appreciated continued U.S. support for their efforts to move 
the regime toward democratic reform.  For instance, they 
said, they were "very pleased, very happy" that the U.S. had 
expressed concern over the recent arrest and sentencing of 
two NLD members for possessing a banned publication. (Note: 
They said they heard this on a short-wave radio broadcast. 
End Note.)  COM Martinez asked how the uncles interpreted the 
regime's latest series of actions.  She noted that the regime 
has had several opportunities recently to do simple things - 
releasing political prisoners, investigating Shan rape cases, 
not arresting NLD members and students protesters - that 
would have helped mute international criticism.  Instead the 
regime appears to have decided to assert control just as the 
EU troika is in Rangoon, the UN resolution on Burma is being 
formulated, and the UN General Assembly is about to convene. 
Chairman U Aung Shwe summed up his assessment of the regime's 
backward shift by saying "they just don't want to talk to 
us." 
 
¶3.  (C)  The uncles said the only way the regime would 
continue moving forward on reforms would be in response to 
continued pressure from the U.S. and others.  They said that 
the recent lack of action by the regime after the relatively 
positive atmosphere during the Razali visit was an indication 
that the "carrots" some in the international community have 
been using to encourage reform do not have the desired 
effect.  The regime will accept the carrots but allow change 
"on their own schedule," which is far too slow.  CEC member U 
Nyunt Wei asked if the U.S. was still considering a trade ban 
on Burma, noting that this might bring about change.  Asked 
if it would not also hurt the poor by decreasing employment, 
he said it would hit the business people closest to the 
regime most and they would, in turn, put pressure for reform 
on the generals.  COM Martinez said she would pass this view 
on, but noted that the threat of a trade ban would probably 
be more effective pressure than implementing the ban.  She 
reasoned that the economic effects of the ban would be 
minimal and the generals would use the ban as an excuse for 
their poor state of the economy (Note: As they currently do 
with the investment ban.  End Note). 
 
Party Offices, Newspaper, Legal Actions for Prisoners 
 
¶4.  (C)  Secretary U Lwin said the NLD is ready to open NLD 
offices nationwide, except for Kayah State, whenever it gets 
agreement with the SPDC.  There are no NLD leaders available 
to staff an office in Kayin State; the State Chairman was 
recently released from prison but he is old and bedridden due 
to a stroke.  Regarding the publication of an NLD newspaper, 
the uncles said the NLD has applied to the Ministry of Home 
Affairs for permission to publish the paper but, "like so 
many things," it is "under consideration at higher levels." 
Regarding the release last week of eight political prisoners, 
the uncles said that most of those released had served most 
of their sentences when they were released.  One, they noted, 
was not an NLD member but a 70-year-old woman arrested in 
1996 or 1997 for operating a copier machine to duplicate 
political materials.  Only two of those released were NLD 
members; others were only supporters of the party. 
¶5. (C)  Vice Chairman U Tin Oo said the NLD would attempt to 
provide legal assistance to the two students arrested for a 
political protest at city hall on August 18 (refs a and b). 
The NLD is working with a local lawyer, U Kyi Win, to find 
out when and where the students' trial will be held and to 
provide them legal counsel.  The NLD has been in touch with 
the families of the two students but, so far, the government 
has not notified the families of the trial date.  U Tin Oo 
said the NLD's strategy is to force the trial into the public 
realm so the process is at least somewhat transparent. 
Otherwise, he noted, the sentence will just be announced and 
the two will go to prison with no due process. 
 
¶6. (C)  Adding to the mystery of whether ASSK has met with 
senior level officials since her release on May 6, the uncles 
stated, contrary to what ASSK herself indicated (see ref c, 
para. 4), that she has not met with Secretary One Lt. General 
Khin Nyunt or Senior General Than Shwe. 
 
Comment 
 
¶7. (C)  The uncles' call for increased international pressure 
is a familiar refrain, but questions remain as to how 
involved they actually are in the negotiations with the SPDC. 
 Aung San Suu Kyi has held these negotiations very close to 
her chest and even her closest advisors may have little idea 
of what progress is or is not being made. 
Martinez