FOREIGN MINISTER KANTATHI CALLS AMBASSADOR TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 006138

SIPDIS

EAP FOR A/S HILL AND EAP DAS JOHN NSC FOR MICHAEL GREEN AND
HOLLY MORROW

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2015
TAGS: PREL BM TH BURMA
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER KANTATHI CALLS AMBASSADOR TO
EXPLAIN AP INTERVIEW

REF: BANGKOK 6101

Classified By: AMBASSADOR RALPH BOYCE. REASON: 1.4 (D)


1. (C) Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon telephoned
the Ambassador on September 26 to give his explanation of the
flap over his recent interview with Associated Press
(reftel). Kantathi maintained that his interviewer, Foster
Klug, had misrepresented his remarks and had done a similar
disservice in the past to Thai Ambassador to the United
States Kasit Piromya. Nevertheless, Ambassador Kasit had
inexplicably recommended that Kantathi talk to Klug.
Kantathi told the Ambassador that the MFA had subsequently
issued a statement to clarify his remarks and he had
telephoned Secretary Rice to explain directly.


2. (C) The Ambassador responded that he was aware of both
the MFA statement and of the Foreign Minister's call to the
Secretary. He noted that before the MFA's statement,

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Kantathi's comments had struck a number of people as an
indication that Thailand was backtracking on various
assurances (FTA, Burma) given during Prime Minister Thaksin's
September 19 meeting with the President. Kantathi hastened
to reinforce to the Ambassador that Thailand stood by the
Joint Statement issued following the Oval office meeting.


3. (C) The Ambassador pointed out to Kantathi that from his
early meetings with the Prime Minister he had cautioned about
the RTG's proclivity for speaking out on Burma in a manner
that portrayed Thailand to many in the United States as an
apologist for a criminal regime in Rangoon. In most
instances, it was better not to speak at all. Kantathi
agreed with the Ambassador's advice, but noted the planned
visit to Bangkok by Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win in the
coming weeks. The Ambassador told Kantathi that the image of
the RTG welcoming the regime's representative to Bangkok
would be an unfortunate one. Kanthati replied that he
couldn't postpone the visit. The Ambassador noted that the
Burmese postponed meetings with regularity, noting UNSYG
Special Representative Razali Ismael's now-pathetic efforts
to travel to Rangoon.


4. (C) Comment: As has become customary, Kantathi has come
up with the "right" things to say, but his tendency to try to
tailor his response to his audience will likely land him in
trouble again. The Foreign Minister could have a difficult
time parsing his words when the Burmese Foreign Minister
comes to town next month.
BOYCE