EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR

UNCLAS BANGKOK 002254

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV, L/EAP, L/PM, PM/ISO, INR AND DRL
PACOM FOR FPA HUSO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING
SUBJECT: EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR
EXERCISE BALANCE TORCH (BT) 05-2

REF: A. EAP/BCLTV E-MAIL DATED 3/30/05


B. STATE 42012

C. BANGKOK 1163


1. (U) DOD (OSD/POLICY),per Ref A, has requested that the
Embassy/State Department complete further human rights
vetting for the 25th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry
Division, 4th Army Area, a unit that has been selected to
participate in Exercise Balance Torch (BT) 05-2 scheduled
from 11 April - 3 June 2005.


2. (U) The Embassy has reviewed its previous vetting (Ref C)
on the 25th Infantry Regiment, and made additional inquiries
of an academic and an NGO that monitor human rights abuses
involving security forces in Thailand. The Embassy possesses
no credible evidence that the 25th Infantry Regiment or its
personnel have committed gross violations of human rights.
Please advise whether the Department has any relevant
information on this unit.


3. (U) Embassy Bangkok Political Counselor Robert J. Clarke
is the verifying officer for the Embassy/Department of State.

BOYCE