THAILAND: ENCOURAGING SUPPORT FOR THE IRAQ

UNCLAS BANGKOK 003107 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/BCLTV, NEA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ TH IRAQ SUBJECT: THAILAND: ENCOURAGING SUPPORT FOR THE IRAQ TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT REF: STATE 79107 ¶1. (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Minister-Counselor Amornsate Singha, the new Director of MFA's North America Division. In subsequent conversations, Amornsate said that the Royal Thai Government (RTG) has already delivered congratulatory messages to both President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Ja'afari through diplomatic channels and is considering issuing a public statement of support as well. Amornsate noted that the language the RTG had used in its diplomatic messages was almost identical to the language provided in our talking points. Amornsate said that the RTG does not have any objection to issuing a public statement of support, but has not reached consensus on appropriate language within the Foreign Ministry. ¶2. (SBU) Poloff asked if Foreign Minister Kanthati -- who departs May 10 for a May 13 meeting with the Secretary -- would be prepared to issue a statement during his visit to the U.S.. Amornsate said that a statement of support for the Iraq Transitional Government has been included in FM Kanthati's trip talking points and background material, but he could not confirm whether the Foreign Minister would make a public statement during the visit. BOYCE