THAILAND'S NON-RESPONSE ON DEMARCHE REGARDING NAM

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 003272 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/29/2016 TAGS: PREL AORC KNNP IR PSI SUBJECT: THAILAND'S NON-RESPONSE ON DEMARCHE REGARDING NAM MINISTERIAL IN KUALA LUMPUR REF: STATE 83239 Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR JAMES F. COLE, Reasons 1.4 (B ,D) ¶1. (C) Post delivered reftel demarche on May 25, 2006 via fax to the International Organization Bureau of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The MFA confirmed receipt of the talking points and forwarded them to Director Charn Jullamon of the Peace, Security and Disarmament Division. However, despite repeated attempts, Poloff was unable to secure a meeting to discuss prior to the NAM Ministerial. ¶2. (SBU) On May 29, 2006, the Thai newspaper, "The Nation," reported that in preparation for the NAM trip to Kuala Lumpur, Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon outlined Thailand's position to be: "Countries that are members of the non-proliferation treaty have the right to peacefully use nuclear energy. But at the same time, the international community must prevent nuclear weapons from spreading." ¶3. (C) Comment. As reported, Kantathi's statement is a careful straddle of this issue prior to the NAM. While Bangkok voices its opposition to the spread of nuclear weapons technology, it also recently signed a lucrative rice export agreement. End Comment. BOYCE