UNSC RESOLUTION ON BURMA - THAI VIEWS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 007446 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2016 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC XC TH BM SUBJECT: UNSC RESOLUTION ON BURMA - THAI VIEWS REF: A. BANGKOK 7388 (LUNCH WITH SURAYUD) ¶B. STATE 197812 (DEMARCHE REQUEST) Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Alex A. Arvizu, reason: 1.4 (b) and (d ). ¶1. (C) Prior to receiving ref B demarche instructions, the Ambassador on December 8 underscored to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont the importance the USG placed on passage of the UNSC Resolution on Burma. Surayud indicated the RTG might not oppose the resolution, although the RTG's position would be contingent on whether the Burmese took dramatic steps to show they understood international concerns (ref A). ¶2. (C) On December 12,the Ambassador delivered ref B demarche points to MFA Permanent Secretary Krit Garnjana-Goonchorn via telephone. Krit did not offer a substantive reply. ¶3. (C) In repeated follow-up conversations at the working level, we discussed ref B points and summarized the UNSC draft resolution with MFA East Asian Affairs Acting Director Kallayana Vipattipumiprates. Kallayana stated the RTG would take into account USG views in considering its position on the UNSC Resolution, and he said the RTG would not oppose the resolution. Separately, Paisit Boonparlit, Counselor of the MFA North America Division, also told us on December 14 that the MFA was still formulating its policy on this matter, but would probably be prepared to signal privately to UNSC members that Thailand would not oppose the resolution. ARVIZU