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INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
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RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 5943
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RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 7133
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 4771
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2872
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 RANGOON 000105 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, AND IO 
PACOM FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2020 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA:  NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY LEADERS ON 
ELECTIONS, ASSISTANCE 
 
REF: RANGOON 92 
 
Classified By: P/E Chief Jennifer Harhigh for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1.  (C)  During a February 24 meeting with the Charge, 
National League for Democracy (NLD) Central Executive 
Committee (CEC) members, including recently released 
Vice-Chair U Tin Oo, reported they are renewing a request to 
the Government of Burma (GOB) for the full CEC to meet party 
leader Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK).  The NLD views this meeting 
as crucial; the CDA observed it remains a high priority for 
the U.S. as well.  The CEC was heartened by UN Special 
Rapporteur Ojea Quintana's frank assessment of the lack of 
GOB progress on human rights and his prediction the 2010 
elections are unlikely to be credible.  The Uncles repeated 
that the party has yet to decide its stance vis-a-vis the 
elections, and the conversation re-confirmed divergent views 
on that issue within the CEC.  The Uncles reaffirmed support 
for increased U.S. humanitarian assistance to the people of 
Burma and welcomed the idea of a USAID mission in Rangoon, 
recognizing it is necessary to ensure transparency and 
monitoring of U.S. taxpayer money.  End summary. 
 
Welcoming U Tin Oo Back to CEC 
------------------------------ 
 
¶2.  (C)  The Charge opened the February 24 session at NLD 
headquarters by noting the USG is thankful U Tin Oo is now 
free and able to participate in party activities.  The CDA 
stressed that the U.S. seeks the release of all of Burma's 
political prisoners as a top priority.  U Tin Oo agreed 
freedom for political prisoners, including ASSK, is of 
crucial importance.  It is also necessary for ASSK to be able 
to meet freely with the CEC.  The CDA agreed:  the USG 
continually pushes the GOB to allow a meeting between ASSK 
and the full CEC at a mutually acceptable location.  This 
factored prominently during A/S Campbell's November visit to 
Burma, and we continue to make clear to the GOB such a 
meeting is in the interests of all, including the senior 
generals.  U Tin Oo said such strong advocacy by the United 
States heartens the NLD in its struggle for democracy. 
 
NLD to Request (Again) Meeting Between ASSK and CEC 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶3.  (C)  U Tin Oo revealed that the NLD is preparing to send 
another request to Burmese authorities for an ASSK/CEC 
meeting, specifying U Tin Oo (released from house arrest 
February 13) needs to participate. 
 
Ojea Quintana Visit 
------------------- 
 
¶4.  (C)  The Charge asked the Uncles' views on the recently 
concluded visit by UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights 
Ojea Quintana.  U Tin Oo was pleased that Ojea Quintana 
clearly stated the regime has made no progress on human 
rights issues.  Win Tin described Ojea Quintana's assessment 
that the elections could not be free and fair, given 
developments to date, as "a great message to the world."  The 
Uncles seemed pleased Ojea Quintana will seek to return later 
this year.  Win Tin expressed disappointment that Ojea 
Quintana met with Uncles at a government hotel rather than at 
NLD headquarters. 
 
Uncles Share Views on Elections 
------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (C)  Noting we have heard rumors, purportedly from 
credible sources, that the elections could be held as early 
as May, the CDA solicited the Uncles' views on providing 
 
RANGOON 00000105  002 OF 003 
 
 
civic education about elections to Burma's people.  Should 
international donors attempt to educate the public about how 
a free and fair election should look?  Nyunt Wai said it 
would be necessary to make clear any such education is not 
intended to bolster the SPDC; any messages would need to be 
neutral and informative.  He observed, as he has in the past, 
that electronic voting equipment could be useful in 
preventing manipulation of ballots.  The Charge noted it 
surely would be impossible to convert all of Burma to 
electronic voting in 2010. 
 
¶6.  (C)  Khin Maung Swe inquired about the likely reaction of 
the international community to elections if the NLD decides 
not to participate.  The CDA predicted some countries will 
likely applaud the election effort no matter what the 
conditions or outcomes, while others such as the United 
States will likely want to carefully analyze the  process, 
including who gets to compete and what the rules are. 
 
¶7.  (C)  U Tin Oo reaffirmed that the NLD has not yet decided 
its position on the elections.  The CDA recognized the party 
faces a difficult decision.  There are pluses and minuses 
with any approach but it makes sense to know the rules of the 
game before deciding. 
 
¶8.  (C)  Win Tin said the CEC has a duty to the people to 
stand by the NLD's Shwegondaing Declaration, which was 
adopted by a party conference.  He said the GOB must 
acknowledge the 1990 election and remedy the 2008 
constitution if the NLD is to participate.  Khin Maung Shwe 
countered that the Shwegondaing Declaration is not an 
ultimatum, but a policy.  It must be discussed with the 
people.  The CDA recalled ASSK's comments to A/S Campbell 
last year that the party must be both idealistic and 
practical in politics.  All assembled agreed it is critical 
ASSK be allowed to meet with the full CEC as soon as possible. 
 
Uncles Welcome More Assistance, USAID Mission 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶9.  (SBU)  Turning to assistance issues, the Charge noted, as 
he has in the past, USG plans, with Congressional agreement, 
to regularize an increase in bilateral assistance to Burma, 
including beyond the Delta if possible, to help people 
rebuild their lives and strengthen civil society.  The Charge 
observed that implementing and monitoring such assistance 
will require additional staff, including to ensure aid does 
not go to or through the GOB.  Toward that end, and asking 
the Uncles not to mention it to the media, the Charge advised 
that we are looking to open a USAID Mission in Rangoon, just 
as the UK and Australia did some years ago. 
 
¶10.  (SBU)  U Tin Oo responded on behalf of the Uncles.  He 
sought, and received, clarification that the assistance money 
comes from the American taxpayer.  As such, he continued, it 
is "good and correct" to ensure the money is distributed 
transparently to those in need and is properly monitored.  U 
Tin Oo noted the GOB worries about foreign assistance 
benefiting opposition parties; the CDA replied that the 
intended assistance, including more than USD 20 million 
planned for FY2010, is humanitarian and civil-society 
building in nature and is not intended for political 
organizations.  U Tin Oo made clear the CEC recognizes the 
need for USAID staff in country as it is important to have 
the "proper organization to monitor and ensure transparency." 
 All of the CEC members present appeared to welcome the idea 
of a USAID Mission to oversee increased assistance and nodded 
their heads in agreement. 
 
No News on Supreme Court Verdict 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶11.  (C)  In response to the Charge's inquiry about when the 
Supreme Court might issue its verdict in ASSK's pending 
 
RANGOON 00000105  003 OF 003 
 
 
appeal, U Tin Oo replied that there has been a delay, but the 
Court has not given any explanation. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶12.  (C)  We are encouraged by the Uncles' apparently unified 
support for our efforts to provide and monitor increased 
assistance.  As in the past, the discussion of the elections 
was less than conclusive.  Clearly divisions continue among 
the Uncles regarding the merits of participation.  The longer 
the party is restricted from meeting with ASSK, the less time 
it will have to consolidate views and decide on an approach. 
The Uncles greatly value the USG's insistence on a near-term, 
inclusive CEC meeting with ASSK at a mutually acceptable 
location. 
DINGER