THAILAND: FORMER PRESIDENTS BUSH AND CLINTON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 001431

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, EAP/BCLTV

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV TH POL MIL
SUBJECT: THAILAND: FORMER PRESIDENTS BUSH AND CLINTON
MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER THAKSIN


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In a February 19 meeting, Prime Minister
Thaksin thanked former Presidents Bush and Clinton for U.S.
assistance following the disaster, and highlighted the
excellent cooperation between the U.S. and Thai militaries.
Thaksin discussed Thai recovery efforts and plans for the
affected regions, and pushed for a Bangkok based tsunami
early warning system (EWS). The leaders discussed Thaksin's
recent reelection and Thailand's HIV/AIDS drugs program. END
SUMMARY


2. (SBU) Former Presidents Bush and Clinton met Thai Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for a discussion and dinner
meeting on February 19, following the former Presidents' tour
of tsunami affected areas. Presidents Bush and Clinton were
accompanied by Ambassador Boyce; Ambassador Douglas Hartwick;
and Laura Graham, Chief of Staff to former President Clinton.
Prime Minister Thaksin was accompanied by Foreign Minister
Surakiart Sathirathai, Interior Minister Bhokhin Phonlakun,
and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit
Khunkitti.

THANKS BETWEEN FRIENDS


3. (SBU) Presidents Bush and Clinton expressed sympathy to
the Prime Minister and the Thai people for the devastation of
the western coast of Thailand and for the great loss of life
from the December 26, 2004 tsunami. Prime Minister Thaksin
thanked the two presidents for the strong and immediate U.S.
response, and the assistance provided by both the USG and the
American people. Thaksin said that the Thai people were
deeply touched that President Bush and former Presidents Bush
and Clinton had all personally visited the Thai Embassy in
Washington to sign the book of condolences.


4. (SBU) The former Presidents expressed appreciation for
the excellent cooperation by the Royal Thai Government (RTG)
and the Thai military in supporting regional U.S.
humanitarian relief efforts, particularly the use of the Thai
military facility at Utapao. The Presidents praised the
excellent working relations between the U.S. and Thai
militaries that had made our collective relief response
possible in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Foreign
Minister Surakiart added that USAID had also been very
helpful in the relief effort.

RECOVERY: A TOUGH JOB, BUT MOVING FORWARD


5. (SBU) Presidents Bush and Clinton commented on the
scenes of destruction that they had seen during their tour of
the impacted provinces, remarking that they had been deeply
affected by the destruction. They noted, however, that they
were equally impressed by the extent of the clean up, and the
energy and vitality of the Thai people who were busy putting
the region back together. Prime Minister Thaksin said that
the RTG had worked hard in the immediate aftermath of the
tsunami, with some 6,000 military personnel contributing to

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relief efforts. Thaksin noted that the RTG had evacuated
some 5,000 foreign tourists within 2 days of the disaster,
and had paid the medical bills of tourists injured by the
tsunami. Foreign Minister Surakiart explained that the Prime

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Minister had been directly involved in relief and recovery
efforts from the beginning, noting that Thaksin had traveled
to Phuket every two days during the immediate crisis to
personally take charge of recovery efforts.


6. (SBU) Thaksin optimistically estimated that most
affected areas would be largely recovered by the end of the
year, but noted that Phi Phi Island, which had been
devastated, would take longer to recover. The Prime Minister
said the RTG had begun a large-scale housing program that
would eventually produce some 50,000 homes for displaced
persons.


7. (SBU) While recovery efforts are moving ahead, the Prime
Minister said the RTG was seeking additional cooperation and
assistance both from foreign governments and from the private
sector. Thaksin proudly noted that Thailand had not asked
for, or received cash assistance, but said they did need
specialized technical assistance. He said that environmental
recovery efforts were of particular concern, and would
require additional expertise. Thaksin also highlighted how
important the tourism industry is for Thailand's economy. He
said that Thailand needed to get the message out to potential
tourists that they are welcome and that hotels are ready to
receive them.

EARLY WARNING DIPLOMACY


8. (SBU) The former Presidents asked the Prime Minister
about the proposed regional tsunami early warning system.
Thaksin said that Thailand had hosted a meeting January 28-29
meeting in Phuket with representatives of all concerned
countries, including the U.S. Thaksin said that the meeting
had produced agreement that all countries needed to be
linked, however, they were unable to reach consensus on
Thailand's proposal that Bangkok be the site of the proposed
early warning center. Thaksin said that regardless of the
final decision on the location of the regional center,
Thailand would develop its own early warning system, which he
hoped to have in place by the end of April 2005. Thaksin
also noted that ASEAN member countries had agreed to
establish a "standby" agreement to pool information about
resources so that in future disasters response times would be
drastically reduced.

HIV/AIDS PROGRAMS IN THAILAND


9. (SBU) Prime Minister Thaksin asked former President
Clinton about his work on HIV/AIDS, and the possibility that
Thai firms could become involved in efforts to produce
inexpensive anti-retroviral drugs for AIDS victims.
President Clinton stated that he was very interested in
expanding HIV/AIDS drug availability, noting that his AIDS
Foundation was having some modest success in providing
affordable drugs to victims. President Clinton said the key
to expanding drug coverage was ensuring that local
authorities establish a medically credible system to provide
the drugs to patients in a regulated manner. Thaksin claimed
that Thai pharmaceutical companies could produce
anti-retroviral drugs more cheaply than other countries,
including India. President Clinton promised to explore
having his foundation purchase drugs from Thai firms.

THAKSIN'S REELECTION


10. (SBU) Presidents Bush and Clinton congratulated the
Prime Minister on his convincing victory during the February
6 national elections. President Clinton praised Thaksin for
his effective leadership and for being a strong friend of the
U.S. Thaksin thanked the Presidents for their sentiments,
and agreed that the Thai people had given his Thai Rak Thai
party a powerful mandate by giving them 378 of the 500 seats
in Parliament, a historic number in Thailand's modern
democratic history. Ambassador Boyce noted that this was the
first time that a Prime Minister enjoyed a full majority.


11. (SBU) Former Presidents Bush and Clinton did not have
the opportunity to clear this cable.
BOYCE