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

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ratification.
BOYCE