IRAN RESOLUTION DEMARCHE - THAI RESPONSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 007125

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2015
TAGS: PHUM TH
SUBJECT: IRAN RESOLUTION DEMARCHE - THAI RESPONSE

REF: STATE 207928

Classified By: AMBASSADOR RALPH L. BOYCE reason 1.4 (b) (d)


1. (C) Ambassador made reftel demarche points to MFA
Permanent Secretary Krit Garnjana-Goonchorn on November 16.
Permsec Krit responded that the Thai government normally
supports no action motions on individual countries, except in
the case of blatant abuses such as the massacres in Sudan.
The Ambassador reminded Krit that Deputy Prime Minister (and
candidate for UN Secretary General) Surakiat Sathirathai told
the President during the September Oval Office meeting with
PM Thaksin that he wanted to work with the US to ensure the
UN's credibility, and that the UNHRC was the area most in
need of reform. Krit's description of RTG policy did not
seem to be consistent with the Dep PM's statements. Krit
responded that it was the policy of the RTG to delink the
personal views of the Thai candidate for UN office from
official RTG policy. However, Krit agreed to consult on our
points and said he would get back to us.


2. (C) Comment: Given the sensitive situation in the
southern provinces, the government is particularly concerned
about appearing to side with the U.S. against Muslim
countries. We think it is unlikely that the Thai will change
their previous practice and support our position. Ambassador
told Krit that, if the RTG decides it cannot oppose the no
action vote, it should at least consider abstaining.
BOYCE