Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BANGKOK6551
2005-10-17 03:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:  

JOINT DEMARCHE ON PSI DELIVERED IN THAILAND

Tags:  PREL PARM PHSA PINS PTER TH PSI 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 006551 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS, PM/ISN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2015
TAGS: PREL PARM PHSA PINS PTER TH PSI
SUBJECT: JOINT DEMARCHE ON PSI DELIVERED IN THAILAND

REF: A. STATE 171692

B. BANGKOK 2925

C. BANGKOK 1886

D. BANGKOK 1772

Classified By: Political Counselor Susan Sutton. Reason 1.4 (a and d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 006551

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS, PM/ISN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2015
TAGS: PREL PARM PHSA PINS PTER TH PSI
SUBJECT: JOINT DEMARCHE ON PSI DELIVERED IN THAILAND

REF: A. STATE 171692

B. BANGKOK 2925

C. BANGKOK 1886

D. BANGKOK 1772

Classified By: Political Counselor Susan Sutton. Reason 1.4 (a and d)


1. (C) On October 14, in an attempt to prod Thailand into
endorsing the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI),the
Ambassador joined a group of Ambassadors from PSI countries
led by Australia and including COMs from Canada, Japan, New
Zealand, and the UK in a joint demarche on MFA Deputy
Permanent Secretary Thakur Panit. Thakur had previously
suggested that Thailand is reluctant to endorse PSI until a
"Muslim neighbor" does so first. The Australian Ambassador
delivered the points outlined in ref A -- and asked Thailand
to join the large numbers of countries already supporting
PSI.


2. (C) In response, Thakur noted Thailand's compliance with
UNSCR 1540 and commitment to curb proliferation. He said
that Thailand would certainly endorse PSI, emphasizing that
it was just a matter of when. He seemed particularly
interested in whether endorsement required any formal,
written assurance. The Australian Ambassador suggested that
a public statement by an appropriate official would be
sufficient. Ambassador Boyce reminded Thakur of their recent
conversation with A/S Rademaker during the ARF seminar on
missile defense (septel),suggesting that we work together to
create a scenario where Thailand could join other countries
to endorse PSI prior to the upcoming Asian Senior Talks on
Proliferation (ASTOP) in Tokyo in early 2006. Thakur's staff
seemed intrigued by this suggestion.

COMMENT: SETTING A SCENARIO FOR THAI ENDORSEMENT


3. (C) As PM Thaksin has told us previously, Thailand wants
to be able to support PSI without exacerbating tensions in
the Muslim south. Thakur's staff seem willing to explore a
scenario whereby Thailand could endorse PSI publicly in a
forum away from Bangkok -- perhaps in Tokyo. Post stands
ready to work with PM/INL in creating such a scenario. END
COMMENT.


BOYCE