EAP DAS JOHN'S MEETING WITH FM NITYA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 006522

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MLS
NSC FOR WILDER, MORROW
PACOM FOR FPA (HUSO)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM PINR TH
SUBJECT: EAP DAS JOHN'S MEETING WITH FM NITYA


Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce. Reason 1.4 (B,D)


1. (C) Summary. Thai Foreign Minister Nitya Phibulsongram
told visiting EAP DAS Eric John and the Ambassador on October
24 that the interim government is resolutely moving toward
the restoration of parliamentary democracy. In response to
DAS John's strong expression of concern over the continued
imposition of martial law, Nitya stated that "specific
reasons" were preventing martial law from being lifted, but
the issue is being reviewed day by day. In a short drop-by,
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said that he is trying to
lift martial law "as soon as possible." Nitya provided a
brief update on Surayud's travel to ASEAN countries. End
Summary.

"AN UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION"
--------------


2. (C) FM Nitya began the meeting by emphasizing that the
interim government's top priority is the restoration of
parliamentary democracy. "We are resolutely moving towards
such." According to Nitya, PM Surayud had reiterated to the
cabinet today his desire to "get work done and get out of
here (i.e., relinquish office)." As evidence of progress,
Nitya cited the selection of the National Legislative
Assembly, the withdrawal of troops from the streets and
television stations, and movement toward a constitution
drafting body. Overall, Nitya characterized the situation of
a military junta moving quickly to restore democracy as
"unique," with no historical precedent.


3. (C) DAS John responded that the U.S. and Thailand remain
strong allies and friends, and, as such, share the same goal
of a democratically elected government. John emphasized that
there is strong concern in Washington over the continued
imposition of martial law. Bangkok appears to be calm. Why
the need for martial law?


4. (C) According to Nitya, the government has specific--but
unexplained--reasons for maintaining martial law. "Most
people do not know about (these reasons.)" Security officials
and government leaders are consulting every day on this
issue, but are taking it "one day at a time." Nitya hopes
that martial law can be lifted soon and that the overall
timetable for a return to democracy can be accelerated. That
said, "when we do have elections they will be free and fair,
as opposed to free and not fair."


5. (C) When pressed on the reasons behind martial law, Nitya
was not forthcoming. DAS John stressed that, besides martial
law, a subset of issues, such as restrictions on political
liberties are also of concern. Nitya sidestepped this point
as well, explaining that the interim government is actively
reaching out to Thai political parties, who are already
engaged in limited planning for the next election.

PM DROPS BY
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6. (C) Near the end of the meeting, Prime Minister Surayud
Chulanont dropped by briefly. Surayud noted that he didn't
volunteer for this job, but "somehow got it." After
listening to Nitya's recap of the discussion so far, the PM
stated that he had just spoken with Army Chief and CNS leader
Sonthi Boonyaratglin about lifting martial law. "We are
proceeding in that direction" and trying to lift martial law
"as soon as possible." Surayud is not sure about the exact
timing, but acknowledged Washington and other international
concern and stated that he will "try my best in the shortest
possible time." DAS John again pressed for the lifting of
martial law at the earliest possible date.

SURAYUD'S TRAVELS AND THE SOUTH
--------------


7. (C) Nitya provided a brief rundown on the Prime Minister's
recent visits to ASEAN capitals. The PM's trips to Kuala
Lumpur, Jakarta and Manila went well. Several of these

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meetings involved discussions of Thailand's restive southern
provinces. President Macapagal-Arroyo offered to compare
notes on the Philippine government's efforts in Mindanao.
Meetings with Badawi in Kuala Lumpur likewise focused on
improved security cooperation. According to Nitya, the
Malaysian PM was "very forthcoming." Surayud's interim
government is trying to keep the violence in the South
contained as an internal issue; no one wants to
internationalize it," but everyone realizes that Malaysian
cooperation will be key to any solution.


8. (C) After political stability, Nitya says that the South
is the government's second priority. Nitya has high hopes
that a new administrative center in the South (Note: a
reference to the recent reinstitution of the Southern Border
Provinces Administration Center. End Note),along with a
renewed appreciation for the cultural and religious issues at
work, will lead to progress.

COMMENT
--------------


9. (C) Nitya, an experienced, Western-educated Thai diplomat,
has been charged with putting the best possible spin on the
actions of the coup makers and the interim government and has
held several briefings for the diplomatic corps towards this
end. Nitya's attempt to avoid getting pinned down on the
question of lifting martial law will be examined in septel.
We were slightly more encouraged by PM Surayud's forthright
acknowledgment that martial law is creating a black eye for
the interim government in the eyes of the international
community, and that he intends to do something about it.
BOYCE