THAILAND: NEW PRIME MINISTER SURAYUD TELLS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 006030 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR P, EAP, EAP/MLS NSC FOR WILDER, MORROW E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL TH SUBJECT: THAILAND: NEW PRIME MINISTER SURAYUD TELLS AMBASSADOR HE WILL LIFT MARTIAL LAW SOON AND PROTECT CIVIL LIBERTIES IN TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce. Reason 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (C) Summary. I called on Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on October 2 to urge that his interim government operate independently of the military-led Council for National Security (CNS) and quickly take steps to protect civil liberties. I underscored three points: 1) condemnation of the coup; 2) the importance of Surayud and his new Cabinet quickly demonstrating their independence from the CNS; and 3) our concern over a number of clauses in the interim Constitution that appear to curb civil liberties and give the CNS too much control. Surayud acknowledged the need to demonstrate his Government's independence and said he was committed to a quick return to democratic norms, featuring elections for the next government. He said that he himself had not welcomed the coup and stated that martial law would be lifted soon. Following the meeting, I made a brief statement to the press stressing the importance of a speedy return to a democratically elected government and the protection of civil liberties during the interim. End Summary. ¶2. (C) I met with Prime Minister Surayud at Government House on October 2, less than 24 hours after he was appointed Prime Minister. I expressed U.S. concern that the military coup leaders seemed to retain a significant influence over the new Thai government based on our preliminary reading of the just-promulgated interim Constitution. I told the Prime Minister that his immediate actions in the coming days would be extremely important and I urged him, both in his actions and his statements, to assert his independence. I showed him a Western press headline critical of the junta's suspension of civil liberties, noting that the international community was watching. I also flatly reminded the Prime Minister that the USG did not welcome the coup. Surayud immediately responded "neither did I." Noting that we would be seeking clarification of the meaning of a number of clauses in the new Constitution in the coming days, I asked for an assurance that civil rights guaranteed under the former Constitution would be protected by the interim government. At this point, Surayud turned to acting Foreign Minister Krit Garnjana-Goonchorn, who maintained that the Bill of Rights contained in the 1997 Constitution is incorporated by reference in the new Constitution (NOTE: We are still studying this section of the new Constitution with Thai scholars and civil rights experts). ¶3. (C) Surayud acknowledged the importance of quickly taking steps to show his independence and to enable a quick return to democracy. He indicated that he will select a new Cabinet in the coming days and plans to submit a list of candidates to the King by the weekend of October 7. He expects martial law to be lifted at roughly the same time. He told me that he is polling experts and professionals in a number of fields, soliciting their input for candidates for the new interim parliament and the assembly that will draft the new Constitution. Surayud indicated that he will press the CNS to accept these candidates. ¶4. (C) I reminded Surayud that his appointment was being interpreted in two ways. Some believe that, by appointing a man they respect and trust, the CNS can hand over the reins of power to his government with confidence. However, critics contend that -- given the Prime Minister's military background and the Constitutional power given to the CNS -- Surayud will have limited freedom of action. I brought up his track record of advocating an apolitical military and offered that he now has an opportunity to put those beliefs into practice. ¶5. (C) I told Surayud that I planned to make brief remarks to the press gathered outside after our meeting to emphasize America's desire for a speedy return to democratically BANGKOK 00006030 002 OF 002 elected government and the protection of civil liberties during the interim. I said that I wanted to tell the media that the Prime Minister had assured me that this would be the case. Surayud gave me that assurance, and accompanied me during the press encounter (Points made during that encounter below.) COMMENT ¶6. (C) The new Prime Minister has no misperceptions about our desire for a quick return to democracy in Thailand. I emphasized that Washington will be looking closely at his actions and public statements in the coming days for indications of his independence and commitment to protecting civil liberties. We will have a chance later this week to assess whether progress is being by looking at the makeup of his Cabinet. END COMMENT. PRESS REMARKS ¶7. (SBU) I made the following points during my remarks to the press: --Since I am leaving tomorrow on a previously scheduled trip to Washington, I met today with the new Prime Minister. --We had a good discussion. --As is well known, the United States urges a speedy return to democratically elected government and protection of civil liberties during the interim. --The Prime Minister assured me this would be the case. BOYCE