ISLAMIC CONFERENCE TONES DOWN CRITICISM OF THAILAND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 004332 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2010 TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI TH SUBJECT: ISLAMIC CONFERENCE TONES DOWN CRITICISM OF THAILAND REF: A. A) BANGKOK4108 ¶B. (B) BANGKOK3854 Classified By: MDELANEY ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. The RTG appears to have been successful in getting criticism of its practices in Southern Thailand toned down. On June 29, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) released its report on the conditions of Thai Muslims in Thailand,s southern provinces, at the 32nd Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) in Sana'a, Yemen. The final report urged the RTG to ensure that incidents like those that took place at Tak Bai and the Krue Se Mosque do not reoccur, and that the government take action to punish those responsible. It advised the government to take into account "the historical and cultural uniqueness" of the region when trying to keep the peace. It also called for the RTG to increase efforts to investigate the disappearance of Muslim human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit. The report restated the Thai view that the violence was not a religious conflict. The Thai MFA was reportedly very upset with a draft version of the report. After intense lobbying for changes, FM Kantathi expressed satisfaction with the final version. According to media reports, the OIC planned to send a second delegation to Southern Thailand in late July. END SUMMARY ¶2. (U) On June 29, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) released its report on the conditions of Thai Muslims in Thailand,s southern provinces, at the 32nd Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) in Sana'a, Yemen. The report was the result of the June 2-13 visit of an OIC fact-finding delegation led by Ambassador Syed Qasmi Al-Masri, former Assistant Secretary-General of the organization. According to Thai media reports, the final version struck a balance between tentative support and open criticism of Thailand,s efforts in the South. Post was unable to review the full report, but expects to receive a copy from the Thai MFA early next week. ¶3. (U) The report voices support for RTG efforts to work toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict, while at the same time advising the RTG to take into account "the historical and cultural uniqueness" of the region when trying to maintain order and find a long-term solution. It urges the RTG to take appropriate measures to ensure that incidents like those that took place at Tak Bai and the Krue Se Mosque in 2004 do not happen again, and further calls on the RTG to take concrete actions to punish those responsible. It also called for the RTG to redouble their efforts to investigate the disappearance of Muslim human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit. The report reiterates the official line of the RTG and the June 8 joint statement that the violence in southern Thailand was not a religious conflict. The final OIC resolution directed the Secretary-General to continue to "follow the issue." To this end, Thai media reported that a second OIC delegation was interested in visiting the Thai south again later this month. ¶4. (C) Following the OIC delegation,s visit and the sympathetic June 8 joint statement between the two sides, the Thais were publicly confident that the OIC report would present Thai efforts to keep the peace in the South in a positive light. On June 25, the Thais were reportedly alarmed to receive a draft copy of the report, which they interpreted to be highly critical of their policies. The Thai response was so strong that Grit Garnjanaa-Goonchorn, Permanent Secretary of the Thai MFA, canceled a trip to the US at the last minute, in order to press for changes to the document. According to MFA, lobbying to clear up "misunderstandings" continued even after the conference began. While it is unclear what changes were made in response to Thai advocacy efforts, FM Kantathi expressed satisfaction with the final report stating that it would promote "good relations" with the Islamic world. ¶5. (U) On June 29, Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon delivered a speech in Sana'a, Yemen to the ICFM, the first Thai FM to do so. (Note: Thailand became an observer at OIC in 1998. End Note) His non-controversial spoken remarks focused on the importance of interfaith harmony and the challenges of globalization. He expressed regret that he had seen "Islam and its principles being misrepresented and misperceived" and encouraged moderation "in all faiths and religions". Although he noted that Thailand had "welcomed the visit of the OIC" to Thailand, he never once directly mentioned the conflict in the Thai South. ¶6. (U) The RTG's cooperation with the OIC fact-finding mission in June is part of the RTG,s recent charm offensive to try and salvage the country,s reputation in the Muslim world which has suffered due to the Southern violence. Although Thailand has always maintained that the violence in the South was an internal matter, there has been a quiet policy of actively soliciting the advice and support of friendly Islamic countries since the beginning of 2005. In March, Thailand hosted a delegation of leaders from the 40-million strong, moderate Indonesian Islamic group Nahdlatul Ulama (NU),who toured the Southern provinces, and whose leader was granted a royal audience with the King. In April, PM Thaksin Shinawatra went on high-profile visits to Jordan and Oman where he "explained the situation" to those country,s leaders. In the press reports leading up to the OIC meeting, the Thai press reported that many Islamic countries had been active in defending Thailand,s record at the OIC, noting Bahrain and Indonesia, as two of its strongest supporters. Bangladesh, Pakistan and Yemen were also cited as helpful, while Malaysia was said to be "distancing itself" from any active support. ¶7. (C) (Comment: In keeping with Thailand's "charm offensive", the RTG will probably not object to a second visit from the OIC, although the initial 'critical' report may give pause for thought. The RTG is anxious to present a good face to the Islamic world, and its active diplomacy and high-profile visits with Muslim leaders seems to have paid off and softened criticism from Muslim governments. The final report of the OIC is evidence of this. Inviting delegations from moderate Islamic groupings including the OIC, should be useful in brainstorming solutions for the violence in the South, and showing moderate Muslims that the RTG is willing to work with respected Islamic leaders. It is doubtful however that the RTG would follow through with any "constructive criticism" they felt undermined their sovereignty. End Comment.) BOYCE