THAI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER RAISES ASEAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 004784

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/BCLTV, USPACOM FOR FPA HUSO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2015
TAGS: PREL PHUM TH BM BURMA
SUBJECT: THAI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER RAISES ASEAN
CHAIRMANSHIP WITH BURMESE LEADERS DURING JULY 25 VISIT

REF: PARTO 000015 AND 000016

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


1. (C) Summary: Deputy Prime Minister Surikiart Sathiritai
told the Ambassador on July 26 afternoon that he had made a
strong representation to Burmese leaders during his visit to
Rangoon the day before, telling them that their rumored
intention to further delay their decision to forgo the ASEAN
chair was unacceptable. Surikiart also told the Ambassador
that, in follow-up to his assurances to Secretary Rice
earlier this month in Phuket, he had told Burmese leaders
that Thailand was prepared to go public with its complaints
if Rangoon does not show real demonstrable progress in
democratization in Burma. Earlier, Thai MFA officials told
poloffs that during Surikiart's visit the two sides reached
some agreement on bilateral issues such as drug suppression,
migrant labor and a planned summit meeting between Than Shwe
and Prime Minister Thaksin. End Summary.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER DESCRIBES RANGOON MEETINGS


2. (C) Deputy Prime Minister Surikiart Sathiritai called at
the Ambassador's request on July 26 afternoon, Surikiart
said that he had made strong representations to Burmese
leaders during his visit to Rangoon the day before, telling
them that their rumored intention to further delay their
decision on forgoing the ASEAN chair was unacceptable.
Surikiart said that he met with SPDC Chairman Than Shwe, SPDC
Vice Chairman Maung Aye, SPDC member Shwe Mann and Prime
Minister Soe Win. Though the Burmese indicated to Surikiart
that they were prepared to announce foregoing the chair at
the Foreign Ministers meeting in Vientiane the following day,
he refrained from announcing this to the press in order to
allow Rangoon to appear to have made the decision on its own.
Surikiart said that he also waited to inform the Ambassador
until after the announcement from Vientiane, in case the
Burmese backed off from their earlier assurances to him.
Surikiart told the Ambassador that, in follow-up to his
assurances to Secretary Rice earlier this month in Phuket
(Reftels),he had told Burmese leaders that Thailand is
prepared to go public with its complaints if Rangoon does not
show real demonstrable progress in democratization in Burma.

MFA SAYS SOME PROGRESS IN BORDER AND DRUGS ISSUES -- LOOK TO
SUMMIT


3. (C) During a conversation on Surikiart's trip earlier
that day, Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Burma desk
officer Damrong Kraikruan told poloffs that Surikiart went to
Burma because he was perceived to have a "personal
relationship" with some of the top leadership and it was
therefore felt that he could engage them in more meaningful
dialogue. He added that the Government of Burma (GOB) system
appeared to be "broken" and that working with the SPDC at the
foreign minister level was just not practical. The RTG sent
the DPM to Rangoon, therefore, with the hope of renewing
contacts following the stalled relations that resulted from
the ouster of former Prime Minister Khin Nyunt last year.
Damrong added that Surikiart talked with Than Shwe about a
summit meeting between Than Shwe and Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra. They agreed in principle to hold such a meeting
in the near future.


4. (C) Damrong stated that the Burmese also agreed to work
more closely on drug suppression, particularly in the Shan
state with an on-going crop substitution program and to
re-energize bilateral cooperation on legalizing Burmese
migrant workers in Thailand. Damrong also said that Than
Shwe agreed to help bring to justice Wa leader and drug lord
Wei Hshekhang, He claimed that Than Shwe said Burma would
have no reason to keep him and would assist with handing him
over to the RTG. All of this discussion had helped "clear
the air" in what had become a "cloudy" relationship,
according to Damrong.


5. (C) COMMENT: Surikiart clearly intends to show that
Thailand is willing to play a stronger role in convincing the
SPDC to change its policies. Based on our conversations with
Surikiart and MFA officials, the Thai feel that the Burmese
decision to announce their forgoing of the chairmanship
rested with Than Shwe and was not made until the last minute.
END COMMENT.
BOYCE