THAI REACTION TO ALLEGED DPRK NUCLEAR TEST

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 006195 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN, EAP, AND IO PACOM ALSO FOR FPA HUSO E.O. 12958: DECL: KOREAN REUNIFICATION TAGS: PREL TH NK SUBJECT: THAI REACTION TO ALLEGED DPRK NUCLEAR TEST REF: A. SECSTATE 169418 ¶B. LAWSON-OPS CENTER TELCON (9/9/06) Classified By: Charge Alexander A. Arvizu. Reason 1.4 (a and d) ¶1. (C) Charge delivered ref points on October 10 to Nongnuth Phetcharatana, Director-General of the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and expressed thanks for the strong RTG public statement (below). Nongnuth asked for an update on UNSC discussions of a resolution invoking Chapter 7. The Charge explained that discussions are underway, and that we hope that Thailand will continue to support strong international condemnation of the DPRK's actions. ¶2. (U) On October 10 the Thai MFA released the following statement: Begin text of statement. Thailand deplores the underground nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 9 October 2006, despite concerns expressed by the international community. This provocative act poses a serious threat to the regional nuclear non-proliferation as well as regional and international peace and stability. Thailand deeply regrets that the DPRK once again chose to ignore the wishes and good will of the international community as well as the spirit enshrined in the Joint Statement of the Fourth Round of the Six Party Talks held in Beijing on 19 September 2005. Thailand reiterates its calls for the DPRK to abide by the principles of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safeguards. Thailand on its part attached great importance to the sanctity of the NPT, as the global instrument that governs the non-proliferation regime, and accordingly will remain fully committed to discouraging the development, possession, acquiring or transferring the nuclear weapons as well as its technology and funds. Thailand, at this time, urges all parties concerned to exercise restraint and expresses its hope that the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula will be resolved peacefully, through diplomatic negotiations, by the earliest resumption of the Six Party Talks. End text of statement. ARVIZU