FORMER PRIME MINISTER ANAND CRITICIZES SURAKIART

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 006978 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/07/2015 TAGS: PREL TH SUBJECT: FORMER PRIME MINISTER ANAND CRITICIZES SURAKIART RUN FOR UN SECRETARY GENERAL POST Classified By: AMBASSADOR RALPH BOYCE. REASON: 1.4 (D) ¶1. (C) During a November 3 conversation with the Ambassador, National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) Head and former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun derided Deputy Prime Minister (and former Foreign Minister) Surakiart Sathirathai's campaign to succeed Kofi Annan as next UN Secretary General. Anand described Surakiart's campaign as SIPDIS "pathetic." Anand said that Surakiart has no understanding of the process. "He just doesn't understand that what counts is the Security Council and in the Security Council it is one country (the U.S.) that counts," Anand added. "Instead he's flying around claiming that he has the support of all these countries." ¶2. (C) Anand faulted Surakiart for assuming that the Secretary General's chair was awarded on a rotating basis SIPDIS among the world's regions. "You've already said that you do not accept selection by regions," said Anand, "but Surakiart still doesn't understand this." When the Ambassador asked Anand what the repercussions would be if the United States supports another candidate, Anand responded "None. There would be no blow to US-Thai relations. There are too many other interests that are more important." ¶3. (C) Comment: Surakiart continues to campaign relentlessly for the top UN job. As the December 2006 date for Kofi Annan's end of term draws closer, the U.S. stance towards his candidacy will increasingly become an issue here. BOYCE