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PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH RUEHTRO
DE RUEHGO #0295/01 1400734
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P 200734Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8985
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1967
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 5444
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9038
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6614
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 4429
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2420
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 RANGOON 000295 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR CA/OCS/ACS/EAP; STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2019 
TAGS:            
SUBJECT: BURMA: AUNG SAN SUU KYI ADDRESSES DIPLOMATS AT 
TRIAL; THREE DIPLOMATS MEET WITH AUNG SAN SUU KYI 
 
REF: RANGOON 291 AND PREVIOUS 
 
Classified By: P/E Chief Jennifer Harhigh for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
 1.  (SBU)  When the regime allowed foreign diplomats to 
attend the afternoon session of Aung San Suu Kyi's trial on 
May 20, ASSK briefly addressed the group from across the 
court room.  She expressed appreciation for international 
support and a hope to meet later under better circumstances. 
International press corps  representatives also attended the 
afternoon hearing.  It was a bizarre session, with 
introduction via female models of two complete burkha outfits 
that Yettaw allegedly brought ASSK to facilitate her escape 
from an assassination attempt he envisioned.  Following the 
proceedings, the Burmese Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
accompanied three diplomats, representing the Dean of the 
diplomatic corps (Singapore), the ASEAN Chair (Thailand), and 
the Presidency of the Security Council (Russia), to meet with 
Aung San Suu Kyi at her quarters on the compound of Insein 
Prison.  Embassy recommends the Department issue a press 
statement; proposed text in paragraph 8.  End summary. 
 
Aung San Suu Kyi Addresses Diplomats 
------------------------------------ 
 
 2.  (C)  Burmese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) officials 
informed diplomats early May 20 that they would be allowed to 
observe the afternoon session of the trial against ASSK later 
that day.  Approximately 30 diplomats and 10 journalists 
attended (including five from the international press, among 
them AFP and Reuters).  In a dramatic moment after the 
hearing concluded, ASSK turned to face the diplomatic corps, 
smiled, and said:  "I am waiting for permission to come over 
to see you and shake your hands.  If permission is not 
granted, I very much appreciate you being here and I thank 
you for your support."  When it became clear authorities 
would not allow her to approach the diplomats, she added, "I 
don't think I will be able to speak with you but I hope to 
see you soon under better circumstances."  Authorities made 
no attempt to interrupt her.  ASSK appeared healthy, full of 
energy and in charge of her legal defense.  Assembled 
diplomats, including Charge and chiefs of mission from 
Australia, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Singapore, Nepal, and 
Egypt, rose to their feet when ASSK entered the courtroom in 
a spontaneous show of respect. 
 
Select Diplomats Meet ASSK 
-------------------------- 
 
 3.  (C)  MOFA also made arrangements for Singapore Ambassador 
Robert Chua, Thailand Acting DCM Somjai Taphaopong, and a 
Russian embassy official -- representing the Dean of the 
diplomatic corps, the ASEAN Chair, and the Presidency of the 
Security Council, respectively -- to visit ASSK after the 
hearing at the guesthouse inside the Insein Prison compound 
where authorities are detaining her.  (Note:  Russian 
Ambassador Mikhail Mgeladze, who had attended the morning 
MOFA briefing, was conspicuously absent from the trial, 
sending a much more junior diplomat in his place.  End note.) 
 Ambassador Chua will give a readout of the meeting with ASSK 
the evening of May 20; details to follow septel. 
 
 4.  (C)  In briefing the diplomatic corps in the morning, 
MOFA Protocol DDG Myint Soe said that contrary to rumors, the 
Burmese government had not been behind Yettaw's incursion in 
order to "trump up" charges against ASSK.  Such rumors were 
being spread by anti-government forces who did not want to 
see positive changes in U.S. policy toward Burma, he added. 
He reported that the decision to grant access to the trial 
and to ASSK personally was made by the Prime Minister late 
the night of May 19.  Afterwards, he told us privately that 
the decision was likely made higher than the PM's level -- at 
 
RANGOON 00000295  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
"the very top" as he put it.  He also told us that if things 
go "smoothly" and without disruptions, he hoped authorities 
would allow diplomats to observe the trial again in the 
future. 
 
The Trial, Day Three:  Bibles, Books and Burkhas 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
 5.  (SBU)  Two witnesses appeared during May 20 proceedings. 
During the morning session, a police lieutenant testified 
about his search of Yettaw's hotel room and read a religious 
letter Yettaw had drafted to Senior General Than Shwe, which 
was taken from Yettaw's bible.  In the afternoon, the police 
officer who investigated Yettaw's entry into ASSK's residence 
testified about the materials, including books and equipment, 
Yettaw had brought with him to ASSK's residence during his 
two visits.  Stunned diplomats watched as two female MOFA 
staff members modeled full-length burkhas -- including head 
and face coverings and dark glasses -- that Yettaw delivered 
to ASSK.  At Yettaw's prompting, his lawyer stated to the 
judges that Yettaw provided the outfits to help ASSK escape 
the country and evade an assassination attempt that Yettaw 
had foreseen in a vision. 
 
 6.  (C)  ASSK's personal attorney Kyi Win (aka Neville) 
approached Charge privately to suggest that the Embassy urge 
Yettaw to express to the court his sorrow for causing 
problems and to ask forgiveness.  The Charge responded that 
the Embassy may not interfere in the legal proceedings 
involving a private U.S. citizen. 
 
 7.  (SBU)  Embassy Consul was present for both sessions of 
the May 20 hearing.  He observed the courtroom was spruced up 
in preparation for the arrival of the dip corps and press. 
Authorities had posted new signs indicating seating areas for 
diplomats and journalists, implemented security procedures 
for screening vehicles and individuals, and issued 
identification badges.  Consul was unable to speak with 
Yettaw or his doctors but was told by a police Special Branch 
officer that doctors would force-feed Yettaw if it becomes 
necessary.  The next court session is scheduled for May 21; 
Consul plans to attend. 
 
Proposed Press Statement 
------------------------ 
 
 8.  Embassy recommends the Department issue another press 
statement and offers the following proposed language: 
 
--  The United States welcomes the decision by Burmese 
authorities to allow foreign diplomats and members of the 
press to observe today's trial proceedings against Aung San 
Suu Kyi, her two assistants, and American citizen John 
Yettaw. 
 
--  We are pleased the authorities allowed several foreign 
diplomats to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi after today's 
hearing. 
 
--  We hope it is a sign of Burma's willingness to heed the 
concerns expressed this past week by the international 
community, and we continue to urge Burmese authorities to 
release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her fellow prisoners 
immediately and without condition. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
 9.  (C)  We suspect the Burmese authorities opened up today's 
session of the trial to quiet the growing tide of 
international pressure and perhaps also  to ensure the 
outside world is aware of Yettaw's bizarre motivations and 
the lack of any connection between him and the regime. 
Today's testimony, which for the first time addressed 
Yettaw's "visions," should quell speculation that Yettaw is a 
 
RANGOON 00000295  003 OF 003 
 
 
pawn used by the regime to manufacture an incident to charge 
and jail ASSK.  The regime's decision to allow select 
diplomats to meet with ASSK -- to our knowledge the first 
such opportunity since 2003, with the exception of visits 
with UN envoys -- is more surprising.  We suggest any press 
statement acknowledge this gesture while stressing our 
ongoing core concerns. 
DINGER