POLOFFS MEETS WITH MFA TO DISCUSS FM'S MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 005747 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF PBTS SOCI TH SUBJECT: POLOFFS MEETS WITH MFA TO DISCUSS FM'S MEETING WITH THAN SHWE, REFUGEES IN MALAYSIA REF: A. RANGOON010105 ¶B. RANGOON000873 Classified By: Political Counselor Susan M. Sutton for reasons 1.4 (b) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. On September 5, Political Counselor Susan Sutton met with Mr. Damrong Kraikuan, MFA Desk Officer for Burma, to discuss FM Kantathi Suphamongkhon's visit to Rangoon. Damrong emphasized that because this was the FM,s first meeting with Than Shwe, "sensitive issues" were not discussed. He added that the SPDC had felt slighted that Kantathi had visited every other capital in ASEAN before Rangoon. The FM told Than Shwe that Thailand had benefited greatly from its transition to democracy, and that the RTG was willing to assist GOB make a democratic transition. RTG officials hoped to arrange an informal "retreat" between Thaksin and Than Shwe before the end of the year. Poloff responded that there was little indication that the GOB was ready to make any fundamental changes in the way they ruled Burma. Damrong reported that Than Shwe appeared to be in good health, and Maung Aye was described as "more reserved" than usual. He added that the ASSK and the NLD were not brought up by either side during the meeting. Regarding the Thai Muslims who sought refuge in Malaysia, Damrong felt that classifying these people as refugees would be a "terrible blow" to Thailand, and would play into the hands of insurgents. END SUMMARY CORDIAL MEETING STEERS CLEAR OF "SENSITIVE ISSUES" ¶2. (SBU) On September 5, Political Counselor Susan Sutton met with Mr. Damrong Kraikuan, MFA Desk Officer for Burma to discuss the visit of FM Kantathi Suphamongkhon to Rangoon, from August 31-September 1. Damrong emphasized that the FM's meeting with Than Shwe was officially a courtesy call, and that "sensitive issues", including the detention of ASSK, were not discussed. According to custom, new ASEAN Foreign Ministers call on each of their fellow ASEAN members in their respective capitals. In his six months as Foreign Minister, Kantathi had visited every ASEAN capital except Rangoon. Damrong noted this had ruffled some feathers in Burma, apparently leading some in the SPDC to believe that Thailand was reluctant to remain engaged with the GOB. ¶3. (U) Damrong told Poloffs that both sides generally seemed pleased with the outcome of the meeting. He noted that the FM had been scheduled to meet with General Than Shwe for only a half hour, but that the two had continued talking for an additional fifty minutes. The Burmese agreed to Thailand,s proposal to re-open the Joint Boundary Committee between the two countries after a three-year hiatus. Thailand and Burma also agreed to continue working together to combat the drug trade. The RTG expressed an interest in assisting Burma with "education and health", and made a "small donation" to the Myanmar University for Development of National Races (UDNR) which purports to help ethnic minorities integrate into Burmese society. ¶4. (C) Damrong stressed that after Khin Nyunt was ousted, the RTG lost a major channel of communication with Rangoon. The RTG feels it is imperative to establish a good rapport between leaders on both sides in order to have a good working relationship. Once this rapport is well-established, the two sides will be able to discuss more substantive issues. Damrong added that it would be difficult for anyone besides PM Thaksin to have any hope of discussing sensitive issues with Than Shwe. With this in mind, the RTG is in the process of planning a "retreat" or "informal meeting" between the two leaders before the end of the year. FM TALKS OF THE BENEFITS OF DEMOCRATIC REFORM; NO MENTION OF ASSK OR NLD ¶5. (C) Damrong noted that the FM had brought up the issues of Burmese democratization in his meeting with Than Shwe. Kantathi noted that democracy was a gradual step-by-step process, and that Thailand had benefited greatly from a democratic system of government. According to Damrong, he stated that Thailand was ready to help Burma with this transition in any way possible. The General responded by citing the National Reconciliation process that is supposedly underway. ¶6. (C) Poloff acknowledged that it might be awkward to bring up sensitive issues during a first-time meeting, and that good person-to-person relationships could be an important factor in establishing strong bilateral relations. However, the regime in Burma has a lengthy record of intransigence and resistance to change, making the USG very skeptical of their intentions. The USG was deeply concerned about the human rights and living conditions of the Burmese people and would be very surprised if any amount of "good rapport" would be enough to change GOB,s positions. Damrong, who has heard from us many times before on this subject, did not respond to these points. Poloff asked Damrong if Than Shwe had made any comments or reference to Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League of Democracy (NLD) (Reftel A). Damrong replied that he had not. THAN SHWE ALIVE AND KICKING ¶7. (C) Damrong reported that Than Shwe appeared to be in fine health, and that if he had been sick recently, it was apparently "not a big deal." Although FM Kantathi had asked some subtle, leading questions about the General,s recent disappearance from public view, Than Shwe did not take the bait. Damrong said that one notable change from previous high-level meetings was the low-key participation of Maung Aye, who appeared "much more reserved" than usual. CONCERNED ABOUT THAI "REFUGEES" IN MALAYSIA ¶8. (C) Regarding newspaper reports about Thai Muslim refugees crossing into Malaysia,s Kelantan State, Damrong said that the incident threatened to "internationalize" the problems in the Thai South, which would be a "terrible blow" to Thailand. He noted that this was just what "they" wanted (presumably referring to Muslim insurgents) and indicated that UNHCR involvement would be very embarrassing for Thailand. Poloff asked if Damrong was satisfied with the statements of the Malaysian FM. Damrong laughed nervously and said that it would be inappropriate to answer the question. ¶9. (C) COMMENT. It is disappointing, but not surprising, that the FM did not raise human rights issues at this introductory meeting. The MFA is sticking to its long-held position that engagement with the SPDC will lead to better results in the long run. They also make the case that Thailand needs to work with Rangoon on important bilateral issues like migration and border demarcation. We continue to point out that their "constructive engagement" policy has not borne fruit, and it is long past time for them to reconsider. If the Thaksin-Than Shwe retreat does take place, however, the uninhibited PM might be willing to take a somewhat tougher line. END COMMENT. ARVIZU