C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 003128

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR P, EAP, EAP/BCLTV
PACOM FOR FPA (HUSO)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2015
TAGS: OVIP PGOV MARR MASS TH BURMA DPRK POL MIL
SUBJECT: PACOM ADM FALLON MEETING WITH FM KANTHATI: KOREAS,
BURMA, CHINA

Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce. Reason 1.4 (a, d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: In a May 4 meeting with visiting PACOM
Commander ADM William Fallon, FM Kanthati Suphamongkhon
highlighted the close long-term relationship between the U.S.
and Thailand and expressed gratitude for U.S. assistance
during the tsunami crisis and for continuing joint U.S.-Thai
training. Kanthati said on a recent trip to North Korea
officials told him they were afraid the withdrawal of U.S.
forces from the peninsula could signal preparations for a
U.S. attack, and that the North Koreans would continue to
develop their WMD capability as a deterrence. Kanthati said
that Thailand was willing to serve as an intermediary between
the U.S. and North Korea. On Burma, the Foreign Minister
said the Burmese leadership had told him privately that they
would give up their upcoming ASEAN chairmanship, but only on
their own terms. He said Thailand remained committed to
promoting democratization and reconciliation in Burma through
engagement. Mentioning China, Kanthati said the Thai would
approach the relationship as a partnership. END SUMMARY

U.S. THAI RELATIONS - "TSUNAMI CEMENTS RELATIONSHIP"


2. (C) Kanthati said ADM Fallon had assumed a "heavy
responsibility" in his new position and offered Thailand's
assistance. He noted that Thailand and the U.S. have had
established relations for 172 years, and suggested that ADM
Fallon could draw on this "rich heritage" as a resource
during his tenure. Kanthati thanked ADM Fallon for U.S.
assistance during the tsunami crisis, noting that the close
and immediate cooperation between the U.S. and Thai forces
was the dividend from years of joint training together. ADM
Fallon thanked the Thai Government for the use of the Thai
Naval Air Station at Utapao and noted it was the key in the
overall regional relief effort.

3. (C) Kanthati highlighted the ongoing Cobra Gold exercise
as a good example of our close working relationship. ADM
Fallon agreed, noting how this year Cobra Gold had evolved
into an exercise that included many countries and civilian
agencies. ADM Fallon said that one of the important lessons
from the tsunami was that the military can provide leadership
and logistics during the initial stages after a disaster, but
longer-term aid will need to be done by civilians. Kanthati
also expressed appreciation for the decisive action by the
U.S. when a group of Somalis attempted to hijack a Thai
fishing vessel, citing the recent action as another good
example of U.S.-Thai cooperation.

NORTH KOREA - "WE'RE HAPPY TO HELP"


4. (C) Kanthati was eager to discuss North Korea and asked
ADM Fallon for his latest assessment of the situation. ADM
Fallon said that there were many things that were unclear
about North Korea given its isolation and secretive nature.
ADM Fallon said the U.S. was continuing with the Six-Party
Talks process.


5. (C) Kanthati said that he had visited North Korea last
year, and noted that Bangkok and Pyongyang had just
"celebrated" thirty years of relations. Kanthati said the
North Korea officials had opened up to him because he is a
German speaker, a language shared by many senior North Korean
officers. The Foreign Minister said the North Koreans told
him that they did not want U.S. forces to withdraw from the
peninsula, fearing a withdrawal would allow the U.S. to
attack the North using standoff weapons. Kanthati noted that
interestingly, the North Koreans seemed to have learned the
opposite lesson than the Libyans following the U.S. led
invasion of Iraq. He said the North Koreans had told him
that the U.S. had invaded Iraq because Iraq appeared weak and
did not have WMD; the North Koreans believe that a appearance
of strength through possession of nuclear weapons is the only
way to deter the U.S. Kanthati said the North Koreans had
indicated that they were willing to continue the Six-Party
Talks, but would rather focus on bilateral discussions with
the U.S. Kanthati said that Thailand, and he personally,
would be willing to facilitate negotiations between the U.S.
and North Korea. ADM Fallon thanked the Foreign Minster for
his offer, but indicated we would continue with the Six-Party
framework.

BURMA - "SPDC WILL NOT ASSUME ASEAN CHAIRMANSHIP"


6. (C) Turning to Burma, Kanthati said he continued to
interact regularly with the Burmese Foreign Minister -- as
well as other ASEAN Foreign Ministers -- on the difficult
issue. Kanthati claimed that he continues to emphasize with
Burmese officials the importance on progress towards
democratization and the need to release of Aung San Suu Kyi
(ASSK). Kanthati said the SPDC was taking a "break" from the
constitutional convention, and that the national
reconciliation process would resume in November. Kanthati
said he is optimistic the constitutional process would be
completed in a few months. Kanthati said the Burmese
leadership claimed that if they released ASSK prior to the
completion of the national reconciliation process it would
destabilize the country. Kanthati said he has continued to
press the SPDC on moving the constitutional process forward,
but by all indications November was a firm date for a return
to work.


7. (C) Kanthati said that the Burmese had told him
privately that they have "considered the importance of ASEAN
as a whole" and are willing to withdraw from assuming the
ASEAN Chairmanship in 2006-2007. The Burmese Foreign
Minister indicated that his Government would back down, but
only at its own initiative. Kanthati said the Burmese are
hopeful that they will not have to "wait for their next turn"
before assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship, and could assume the
seat following the completion of the national reconciliation
process.


8. (C) Kanthati explained that the necessity for Thailand's
engagement with Burma was based on the reality created by
their shared 2,400-kilometer border. He said Thailand would
continue to interact with Burma, but would also continue to
deliver the message of the international community. ADM
Fallon said he recognized the challenges of a shared border,
but questioned Kanthati's characterization that the Burmese
were making progress towards national reconciliation.
Kanthati said his assessment was that the regime was indeed
moving forward. He claimed that the other ASEAN Foreign
Ministers agreed with the RTG that ASEAN member countries
needed to continue to engage with the Burmese. Kanthati said
that Thailand shared the U.S. objective of democracy in
Burma. He characterized Thailand's approach as similar to
the U.S. approach to China - engagement.

CHINA - "A PARTNER"


9. (C) Turning to China, Kanthati said his assessment is
that China now has the strongest influence on the Burmese
regime. Kanthati said that for their overall relationship
Thailand must engage China as "a partner." He said that the
Thai are well aware that China could be a competitor, but
believes that the relationship can be "win-win." Kanthati
believes that China can play a positive role in the region.


10. (U) ADM Fallon has cleared this message.
BOYCE