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

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000447 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2016 
TAGS: PGOV BM PRELPHUM ASSK NLD
SUBJECT: GOB STIFFS NLD COMPROMISE OFFER 
 
REF: RANGOON 246 
 
Classified By: P/E Chief W. Patrick Murphy for Reasons 1.4 (b,d) 
 
¶1. (C) Summary:  After six weeks of silence, the GOB finally 
reacted to a National League for Democracy proposal for 
political compromise with an official editorial that accused 
the party of attempting to "grab power."  NLD leaders called 
the editorial "unhelpful" and told us they were disappointed 
that the GOB mischaracterized NLD intentions.  The NLD plans 
to convene the multi-party "Committee to Represent the 
People's Parliament" (CRPP) to discuss a joint response to 
the editorial and to a recent Sr Gen Than Shwe's speech in 
which he said it will take "a long time" to achieve democracy 
in Burma.  NLD leaders remain concerned about Aung San Suu 
Kyi's security and well-being, but said they were unaware of 
any new plot or specific threat against her.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) On March 29 and 30, several Burmese newspapers, 
including the regime's official daily, the New Light of 
Myanmar, published an editorial reacting to the NLD's 
February 12 proposal to convene the Parliament elected in 
1990 in return for the opposition's recognition of the ruling 
regime as a legitimate transitional government.  In issuing 
their proposal, which the NLD described as a "give and take" 
negotiating offer, the party had suggested the regime respond 
by April 17, Burmese New Year. 
 
¶3. (U) Entitled "Flexibility or Trickery?" the lengthy 
diatribe accused the NLD of attempting to "grab power" by 
insisting on implementing the 1990 election results, 
eliminating a future governing role for the Tatmadaw (armed 
forces), and returning the army to their barracks.  "The NLD 
views the Tatmadaw government as a military dictatorship 
junta," the editorial credibly stated, "and the fall of the 
dictatorship as democracy." 
 
¶4. (C) P/E chief met on March 30 with NLD Secretary U Lwin 
and Chairman U Aung Shwe.  The NLD leaders said they had 
received no direct reply to their proposal from the SPDC, nor 
did they expect to receive any.  They acknowledged that the 
published editorial was the GOB's first, quasi-official 
reaction to their proposal. 
 
¶5. (C) The NLD leaders viewed the editorial as "unhelpful" 
and expressed disappointment that the GOB mischaracterized 
NLD intentions, lied about historical facts, and slandered 
party policies.  U Aung Shwe said the party was also dismayed 
that SPDC Chairman Than Shwe, in his annual Armed Forces Day 
address (March 27), stated that it will take "a long time" to 
achieve democracy in Burma.  U Lwin said that the NLD planned 
to convene the multi-party "Committee to Represent the 
People's Parliament" (CRPP) to discuss a joint response to 
the editorial and to the Senior General's speech. 
 
¶6. (S) On a separate issue, U Lwin and U Aung Shwe addressed 
a recent claim, reported on March 29 by an exile news 
service, that the exile "National Council of the Union of 
Burma" (NCUB) had received proof the "Burmese military were 
planning to assassinate Aung San Suu Kyi."  The NLD leaders 
said they remain concerned about ASSK's security and 
well-being, given that she is incommunicado and without a 
proper bodyguard, but they were unaware of any specific new 
plot or threat against her.  They noted that party 
arrangements for daily deliveries of food to her compound, 
via SPDC security intermediaries, remain in place and are 
uninterrupted.  Her personal physician hopes to receive 
permission soon for his monthly visit to her compound. 
 
¶7. (C) Comment:  Although the SPDC continues to harass and 
intimidate NLD members, the regime has essentially ignored 
the party in its official press for several years.  The GOB's 
published reaction to the NLD's compromise proposal was 
therefore unexpected.  Although the GOB lambasted the NLD and 
reiterated its standard allegations of NLD collusion with 
"the West Bloc" and with terrorist exile groups, the 
editorial began with a curiously accurate synopsis of the NLD 
proposal, including the party's call for the release of ASSK 
and for possible mediation by ASEAN.  We agree with NLD 
leaders that the regime has no intention of negotiating or 
responding to the proposal seriously.  Nonetheless, the GOB 
has drawn public attention to the NLD's new approach via its 
published rebuttal and made it clear which side refuses to 
budge.  End Comment. 
STOLTZ