Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BANGKOK5018
2005-08-04 09:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: US PROPOSAL FOR STANDING UN
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 005018
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2015
TAGS: KUNR PHUM PREL PGOV TH
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: US PROPOSAL FOR STANDING UN
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
REF: SECSTATE 140191
Classified By: Political Officer Anthony M. Tranchina for reasons 1.4.(
b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 005018
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2015
TAGS: KUNR PHUM PREL PGOV TH
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: US PROPOSAL FOR STANDING UN
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
REF: SECSTATE 140191
Classified By: Political Officer Anthony M. Tranchina for reasons 1.4.(
b) and (d)
1. (U) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Mr. Peerasak
Chantavarin, Director, Social Division of the Department of
International Organizations (IO),MFA, and Mr. Chakkrid
Krachaiwong, First Secretary, Department of American and
South Pacific Affairs (AA),MFA. Thai officials were
well-versed on the details of the US proposal, having
received it from their UN Mission in New York.
2. (U) Mr. Vorapun Srivoranart of IO commented that the
American proposal was very similar to plans that had been
presented by Canada and Switzerland. While details differed
somewhat, such as the size of the council, he believed that
the basic structure and intentions of the Council appeared to
be the same in all of these proposals.
3. (C) The Thais were skeptical that any new Human Rights
body would be able to avoid the inherent politicization of
its much maligned predecessor, the UN Human Rights
Commission. Thai officials also expressed the view that human
rights could be better promoted through positive
reinforcement, rather than by "publicly shaming" individual
countries. (Note: RTG officials have brought up their
concerns about "the public shaming" of individual nations in
previous demarches on this issue. End Note)
4. (C) While MFA did not voice any major objections to the US
proposal, they appeared skeptical that the proposed council
would be a more effective alternative to the current
Commission. The Thais mentioned competing proposals from
other Western countries as well as one from the nonaligned
bloc, although they did not advocate any of these proposals
as a preferred alternative. Thailand appears to be waiting to
see if the various competing ideas for the new Council can be
harmonized into one proposal before staking out a more formal
position.
ARVIZU
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2015
TAGS: KUNR PHUM PREL PGOV TH
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: US PROPOSAL FOR STANDING UN
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
REF: SECSTATE 140191
Classified By: Political Officer Anthony M. Tranchina for reasons 1.4.(
b) and (d)
1. (U) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Mr. Peerasak
Chantavarin, Director, Social Division of the Department of
International Organizations (IO),MFA, and Mr. Chakkrid
Krachaiwong, First Secretary, Department of American and
South Pacific Affairs (AA),MFA. Thai officials were
well-versed on the details of the US proposal, having
received it from their UN Mission in New York.
2. (U) Mr. Vorapun Srivoranart of IO commented that the
American proposal was very similar to plans that had been
presented by Canada and Switzerland. While details differed
somewhat, such as the size of the council, he believed that
the basic structure and intentions of the Council appeared to
be the same in all of these proposals.
3. (C) The Thais were skeptical that any new Human Rights
body would be able to avoid the inherent politicization of
its much maligned predecessor, the UN Human Rights
Commission. Thai officials also expressed the view that human
rights could be better promoted through positive
reinforcement, rather than by "publicly shaming" individual
countries. (Note: RTG officials have brought up their
concerns about "the public shaming" of individual nations in
previous demarches on this issue. End Note)
4. (C) While MFA did not voice any major objections to the US
proposal, they appeared skeptical that the proposed council
would be a more effective alternative to the current
Commission. The Thais mentioned competing proposals from
other Western countries as well as one from the nonaligned
bloc, although they did not advocate any of these proposals
as a preferred alternative. Thailand appears to be waiting to
see if the various competing ideas for the new Council can be
harmonized into one proposal before staking out a more formal
position.
ARVIZU