THAILAND: MEETING OF THE G8 CTAG

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 003143 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/BCLTV, S/CT PACOM FOR FPA (HUSO) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER TH ASEAN SUBJECT: THAILAND: MEETING OF THE G8 CTAG REF: A. 04 BANGKOK 8009 ¶B. 04 BANGKOK 7838 ¶C. 04 BANGKOK 5239 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Thailand G8 Counter-Terrorism Action Group (CTAG) held its first quarterly meeting under the Chairmanship of UK Ambassador David Fall on April 27. The group discussed joint cooperation on a wide range of counter terrorism (CT) related issues in Thailand, focusing on creation of a RTG/CTAG CT working group, document fraud, terrorist financing and Thai endorsement of all UN CT related conventions. CTAG Ambassadors agreed to continue pressing Thailand towards creation of a RTG/CTAG working group on counter terrorism and rapid endorsement of the remaining eight UN CT Conventions which the RTG has not yet ratified. END SUMMARY RTG/CTAG CT WORKING GROUP ¶2. (SBU) On April 27, the Ambassador participated in the first quarterly meeting of the Thailand G8 Counter-Terrorism Action Group (CTAG) under the Chairmanship of British Ambassador David Fall. Reviewing the progress of the CTAG, members noted that the RTG has repeatedly expressed its desire to support international CT efforts. However, closer coordination with the international community has been hampered by the lack of a clear point of contact within the RTG on CT issues. In 2004, CTAG members had proposed the creation of a RTG/CTAG working group on CT but action was delayed by the December 26, 2004 tsunami. (NOTE: On May 2, Ambassador Fall met with MFA Permanent Secretary Krit Garnjana-Goonchorn to press for the establishment of the working group. Krit responded that the RTG was eager to move forward with the idea and would work with the CTAG on its creation. END NOTE) DOCUMENT FRAUD ¶3. (SBU) The CTAG discussed the new G8 Control Strategy and Draft Action Plan on Counterfeit Document Production in Thailand, which is designed to provide a framework for G8 assistance to Thailand on document fraud. It is part of an effort to improve the exchange of information and operational coordination between the CTAG and RTG. ¶4. (SBU) The Control Strategy was developed in response to concerns expressed at the November 2004 CTAG meeting (reftel B) about operational gaps in information sharing between the RTG and CTAG members. The Thais designated the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) as the point of contact for document fraud, but have not given it a clearly defined role. CTAG members agreed that the Control Strategy is a good start towards better coordination with the RTG on document fraud. However, clarification is needed on the role of the NIA. ¶5. (SBU) Members also expressed concern over how the Ministry of Justice is interpreting and applying Thai document fraud laws. Overall, CTAG members agreed that Thai document fraud laws are adequate as written. What is lacking is understanding of these laws by working level police and customs officials. Members agreed to explore possibilities for enhanced capacity building with the RTG. Ambassador Fall will meet with Attorney General Kampree to discuss the role of the NIA and to explore how CTAG members can assist the RTG in effectively enforcing document fraud laws. TESTIMONY BY DIPLOMATIC PERSONNEL ¶6. (SBU) CTAG members agreed that the RTG should be reminded that CTAG member countries are willing to waive diplomatic immunity, on a case by case basis, to enable embassy staff to give evidence or expert testimony in cases involving home country document fraud. The RTG should also understand that testimony by embassy personnel should not be viewed as an impediment to prosecution. Ambassador Fall agreed to also raise this issue with the Attorney General. TERRORIST FINANCING ¶7. (SBU) Members exchanged information on how the CTAG can build Thai capacity to counter terrorist financing, especially informal remittance systems connected to ongoing separatist violence in the far south of Thailand. The RTG is particularly sensitive to the issue because of press reports that southern militants may be receiving financial support from abroad. CTAG members agreed to continue individual efforts to build capacity within the RTG in order to bring them up to international standards. UN CT CONVENTIONS ¶8. (SBU) Thailand is a party to five of the UN Conventions relating to CT -- following RTG ratification of the Convention on Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism in September 2004 -- but has made little progress towards ratification of the remaining seven UN CT Conventions (eight if the 2005 Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism is included). The MFA has repeatedly stated that Thailand intends to implement all UN CT Conventions (reftel A). The Ambassadors agreed that all CTAG members should continue to encourage the RTG to adopt the remaining conventions. In his May 2 meeting with Ambassador Fall, MFA Permanent Secretary Krit acknowledged that Thailand has yet to ratify the eight conventions. Krit noted that the Cabinet passed a resolution in December 2004 urging Thai agencies to expedite ratification, but the process was interrupted by the tsunami. Krit did not offer a clear timetable for SIPDIS ratification. BOYCE