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

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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