PSI: ENCOURAGING THAI ENDORSEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 004446

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, EAP/MLS, ISN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2016
TAGS: MNUC PARM PGOV PHSA PREL KNNP KPAO TH
SUBJECT: PSI: ENCOURAGING THAI ENDORSEMENT

REF: A. STATE 116782

B. BANGKOK 2190

Classified By: Political Counselor Susan M. Sutton. Reason 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) Summary: MFA American Division Director General
Nongnuth Phetcharatana said that Foreign Minister Kantathi
would discuss the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)
with the Indonesian and Malaysian Foreign Ministers at the
ASEAN Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur. She suggested that
Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia be invited to observe PSI
activities as a way to encourage joint endorsement. The RTG
agrees with PSI in principle, but will not endorse in the
near term because of the domestic political situation. The
RTG remains concerned that PSI could be connected to the
ongoing violence in far southern Thailand. End Summary

THAIS PROMISE TO DISCUSS PSI WITH THE NEIGHBORS


2. (C) On July 21, poloffs and visiting OSD Southeast Asia
desk officer Jessica Powers met with MFA American Division
Director General Nongnuth Phetcharatana and members of her
staff to follow-up on Foreign Minister Kantathi's recent
commitments on the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)
(reftel A). Nongnuth said Kantathi would be briefed on PSI
ahead of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) ministerial meeting
in Kuala Lumpur and was prepared to discuss the issue with
the Malaysian and Indonesian Foreign Ministers. She
requested assistance from the U.S. in lobbying the Malaysian
and Indonesian governments at the ARF and in the capitals.

"INVITE THAILAND, MALAYSIA, INDONESIA TO OBSERVE PSI"


3. (C) Nongnuth requested that the RTG be allowed to attend
PSI exercises as an observer. Keeping the RTG directly
involved in PSI activities would smooth the decision making
process on endorsement and build understanding of PSI within
the armed forces. Nongnuth suggested that Thailand,
Malaysia, and Indonesia be invited jointly to observe the
next PSI exercise as a way to facilitate a possible joint
endorsement.

"WE AGREE WITH PSI IN PRINCIPLE, BUT...


4. (C) Nongnuth repeated FM Kantathi's assurances to
Secretary Rice that the RTG agreed with PSI in principle but

SIPDIS
noted that the current caretaker status of the government
made endorsement "unlikely anytime soon." Nongnuth said that
"off the record," the MFA legal department was preparing the
internal documentation needed for PSI endorsement so that the
government could move quickly once the political decision was
made.

...WE STILL HAVE SOME CONCERNS"


5. (C) Despite these assurances, Nongnuth acknowledged that
there were still concerns within the RTG about PSI.
Specifically, there is some apprehension over how endorsement
would be viewed in far southern Thailand. There is a great
deal of sensitivity in the South over rumors of U.S.
involvement in the violence. Nongnuth said she was concerned
that endorsement of PSI would be manipulated by those looking
for evidence of a U.S. connection. The Thai press would also
be highly suspicious of endorsement. She suggested a
targeted PD campaign directed at specific Thai opinion
leaders -- like Kavi Chongkittavorn at the Nation newspaper.
ARVIZU