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OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHGO #0926/01 2701159
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 271159Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6577
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0544
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 4076
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 7634
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5193
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0979
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000926 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS; INR/EAP; S/ES-O/CMS 
PACOM FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2017 
TAGS:        
SUBJECT: CRACKDOWN RESULTS IN CASUALTIES 
 
REF: A. RANGOON 924 
 
      B. RANGOON 913 AND PREVIOUS 
 
Classified By: CDA Villarosa for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) 
 
 1. (C) Summary.  The regime resorted to violence against 
peaceful protests for a second day of the regime's crackdown. 
 Embassy officers observed security forces shooting into 
crowds, using tear gas to disperse crowds, and beating 
defiant protesters.  We have received reports of numerous 
injuries and can confirm one death.  Overnight security 
forces arrested several NLD members, including NLD spokesman 
U Myint Thein.  They also raided several local monasteries, 
arresting and beating monks in the process.  The GOB stated 
that Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest at her 
residence.  End Summary. 
 
Crackdown Results in Casualties 
-------------------------------- 
 
 2. (C) While conducting surveillance of the downtown area 
early on September 27, Poloff observed police erecting 
blockades on main streets and near pagodas to prevent 
marches.  Vehicle and pedestrian traffic around Shwe Dagon 
Pagoda remained completely blocked, and the security around 
Aung San Suu Kyi's residence remained tight.  Embassy 
officers observed army trucks full of troops at various 
locations around Rangoon throughout the day. 
 
 3. (C) For the eleventh straight day, protests occurred 
throughout Rangoon.  Unlike previous protests, the majority 
of protestors were civilians, with a few monks helping 
organize the marches.  Embassy officers stationed around the 
city saw crowds consisting of as many as 4,000 civilians.  In 
an effort to break up the marches, police set up and enforced 
blockades, sprayed tear gas, and fired shots into the crowd. 
Poloff witnessed one casualty, possibly a death in the 
downtown area, and the arrest of one person.  While 
monitoring the situation, we noticed protesters repeated the 
gatherings that we saw yesterday: after the police either 
used tear gas or fired into the crowds, the groups would 
quickly disperse only to reconvene a few hours later. 
Emboffs reported more gunfire against this second move. 
Witnesses told us that during demonstrations throughout the 
city, police chased and beat the demonstrators. 
 
 4.  (C)  We also learned that one foreigner was injured 
during the demonstrations, although we have not been able to 
confirm his identity or nationality.  He is assumed to be a 
journalist or photographer, several of whom were noticed in 
front of demonstrators. 
 
 5. (C) Even though the security forces ultimately resorted to 
violence, Poloff observed attempts by security forces to 
exercise discipline and restraint.  The authorities broadcast 
announcements, using very polite Burmese, requesting the 
demonstrators to disperse or they would have to use force in 
ten minutes.  In addition he observed the riot police 
marching in formation, those in front carrying shields only 
and no weapons.  When bystanders began throwing rocks and 
bricks at them, they did not react. 
 
Overnight Arrests 
----------------- 
 
 6.  (C)  Embassy sources confirmed authorities arrested 
several top NLD and ethnic leaders the night of September 26. 
 NLD sources told us police arrested party spokesman U Myint 
Thein and NLD member U Hla Pe in their homes last night. 
Authorities also detained Pu Kyin Shin Htan of the Zomi 
National Congress and MP-elect Htang Kho Tan.  Our contacts 
told us the men were brought to the Aung Tha Pyay 
Interrogation Center in Rangoon.  Police told their families 
to provide an ample supply of clothes, suggesting they may be 
detained for a long time.  We are seeking to confirm reports 
police also arrested NLD members in Mandalay and Magwe last 
night. 
 
Monasteries Raided Overnight 
 
RANGOON 00000926  002 OF 002 
 
 
---------------------------- 
 
 7. (C)  On the night of September 26, authorities raided at 
least six large monasteries in Rangoon, many with significant 
numbers of student monks.  Sources told us that approximately 
200 soldiers arrested Sayada Aindakaat, the leader of Makyin 
Monastery and at least five other monks and three laypersons. 
 Late last night, authorities reportedly arrested as many as 
100 monks from the Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery.  Nearby witnesses 
reported hearing sounds of violence coming from inside the 
monastery.  According to Poloff, who saw the munitions 
canister, the police used 40 millimeter riot control 
munitions during this raid.  We have also received 
unconfirmed reports monasteries in Mandalay and Magwe were 
raided last night. 
 
 8. (C)  In the afternoon of September 27, locals living 
around the monastery visited the site to check on the monks, 
and found the inside of the monastery in tatters:  blood 
spots on the floor, broken pots, and several destroyed Buddha 
statues.  Word spread and neighborhood residents began to 
gather at the monastery, several contacts confirmed.  Photos 
of the destruction are now circulating on the internet.  The 
riot police arrived to suppress the protests, and fired 
several shots with rubber bullets.  The locals refused to 
leave and instead surrounded the police and threw stones. 
Additional riot police arrived on scene.  As of 1700, the 
skirmish was still ongoing. 
 
 9. (C) One foreigner told us that during his visit to a 
different local monastery on September 27, the monks 
expressed their reluctance to protest.  The foreigner 
indicated that the monks were now afraid that the security 
forces would use force against them, although they had taken 
a lead in previous demonstrations. 
 
Aung San Suu Kyi's Whereabouts Confirmed 
---------------------------------------- 
 
 10. (C) The Deputy Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed us 
that rumors about Aung San Suu Kyi's transfer to Insein 
Prison were not true.  He stated that she remains under house 
arrest at her residence (Ref A). 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
 11. (C) The demonstrators continue to risk their lives to 
demand change.  The difference today was a significantly 
reduced number of monks but otherwise similar sized crowds to 
yesterday.  The public protest at the Ngwe Kyar Yan Monastery 
took place at a distance from downtown, possibly signifying a 
broadening.  What is clear is that the demonstrators realize 
they must continue now, otherwise they risk another twenty 
years of military rule before the next generation dares to 
take them on again. 
VILLAROSA