Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BANGKOK7546
2006-12-21 08:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
CHARGE PRESSES MFA PERMSEC ON MARTIAL LAW,
how-toVZCZCXRO0862 OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHBK #7546/01 3550816 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 210816Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3574 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 3402 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 6475 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 2503 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 8665 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 007546
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MLS
NSC FOR WILDER/MORROW
PACOM FOR FPA HUSO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM TH
SUBJECT: CHARGE PRESSES MFA PERMSEC ON MARTIAL LAW,
DEMOCRACY TIMELINE
REF: SECSTATE 200365
Classified By: CDA ALEX A. ARVIZU. REASON 1.4 (B,D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 007546
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MLS
NSC FOR WILDER/MORROW
PACOM FOR FPA HUSO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM TH
SUBJECT: CHARGE PRESSES MFA PERMSEC ON MARTIAL LAW,
DEMOCRACY TIMELINE
REF: SECSTATE 200365
Classified By: CDA ALEX A. ARVIZU. REASON 1.4 (B,D)
1. (C) In a December 21 call on Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Permanent Secretary Krit Garnjana-Gooncharn, the Charge
delivered reftel points expressing U.S. concern over: the
delayed release of proclamations lifting martial law in most
of the country, continued restrictions on civil liberties,
the need to speed up the constitutional drafting process, and
potential slippage in the timeline for new elections and a
return to a democratically elected government. The Charge
also reiterated U.S. offers to provide technical assistance
in the drafting of a new constitution.
2. (C) Krit responded that the RTG welcomes U.S. interest in
the ongoing process, which has been seen as very helpful in
"improving understanding of the Thai situation in the
international community." According to Krit, although this
line of reasoning may be at odds with conventional wisdom, in
real terms it has been helpful. President Bush's
"constructive approach" at APEC was evident to all and
appreciated by the RTG. Krit reiterated that, although the
timing of the release of the formal proclamation lifting
martial law in some provinces rests with the palace, the
issue needs to be seen in the context of the overall
development of civil liberties. Recent demonstrations and
increasingly regular public protests evince the government's
drive to relax these restrictions--and the Thai public is
focused on these issues as key bellwethers, not martial law.
The forthcoming lifting of restrictions on political party
activities should be the next focus; martial law is a
peripheral issue.
3. (C) On the democracy timeline, Krit believes that the
slippage that has occurred "is within an acceptable margin."
Specifically, he asserted that the time that has been lost
can be made up during the six month period for constitutional
drafting. Krit said that in a recent meeting with Philippine
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Prime Minister Surayud
Chulanont emphasized that he would do everything in his power
to make up for the time lost so far. That said, the PM
himself is not entrusted with drafting the new constitution,
but will do what he can to accelerate it. Krit opined that
he was very surprised that the PM went this far with Arroyo.
Krit then referenced the timeline available on the MFA
website, pointing out that, if the Constitutional Drafting
Assembly (CDA) fails to complete a constitution within six
months, the Council on National Security (CNS) would be
required to provide a new charter. "This hangs like
Damocles' sword over the CNS." If the maximum time allotted
is used, that would lead to a new constitution and
preparations for elections by September 2007. As to the new
constitution worked up by the CDA, Krit predicts that it will
closely parallel the previous charter promulgated in 1997.
Krit cited the clause in the current, interim constitution
requiring the CDA to specifically detail how the new charter
will differ from the 1997 document.
4. (C) The Charge expressed hope that the political parties
will soon be free to engage in the evolving political
process. Krit pointed out that, in the Thai
political-culture context, the drafting of a new constitution
has historically not involved the political parties
themselves, out of concerns that partisan elements would seek
to derive unfair benefits from the charter. Instead, the
drafting process would be entrusted to non-partisan experts,
as he claimed is the case at present. Krit acknowledged that
this may seem strange when viewed from another cultural
context. The Charge noted this point, but explained that he
was referring to the lifting of restrictions on political
party activity.
5. (C) In response to U.S. offers of assistance in the
constitutional drafting process, Krit expressed appreciation
for the constructive role that informed comments could play,
but cautioned that such an effort could backfire if it were
widely-publicized.
BANGKOK 00007546 002 OF 002
ARVIZU
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MLS
NSC FOR WILDER/MORROW
PACOM FOR FPA HUSO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM TH
SUBJECT: CHARGE PRESSES MFA PERMSEC ON MARTIAL LAW,
DEMOCRACY TIMELINE
REF: SECSTATE 200365
Classified By: CDA ALEX A. ARVIZU. REASON 1.4 (B,D)
1. (C) In a December 21 call on Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Permanent Secretary Krit Garnjana-Gooncharn, the Charge
delivered reftel points expressing U.S. concern over: the
delayed release of proclamations lifting martial law in most
of the country, continued restrictions on civil liberties,
the need to speed up the constitutional drafting process, and
potential slippage in the timeline for new elections and a
return to a democratically elected government. The Charge
also reiterated U.S. offers to provide technical assistance
in the drafting of a new constitution.
2. (C) Krit responded that the RTG welcomes U.S. interest in
the ongoing process, which has been seen as very helpful in
"improving understanding of the Thai situation in the
international community." According to Krit, although this
line of reasoning may be at odds with conventional wisdom, in
real terms it has been helpful. President Bush's
"constructive approach" at APEC was evident to all and
appreciated by the RTG. Krit reiterated that, although the
timing of the release of the formal proclamation lifting
martial law in some provinces rests with the palace, the
issue needs to be seen in the context of the overall
development of civil liberties. Recent demonstrations and
increasingly regular public protests evince the government's
drive to relax these restrictions--and the Thai public is
focused on these issues as key bellwethers, not martial law.
The forthcoming lifting of restrictions on political party
activities should be the next focus; martial law is a
peripheral issue.
3. (C) On the democracy timeline, Krit believes that the
slippage that has occurred "is within an acceptable margin."
Specifically, he asserted that the time that has been lost
can be made up during the six month period for constitutional
drafting. Krit said that in a recent meeting with Philippine
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Prime Minister Surayud
Chulanont emphasized that he would do everything in his power
to make up for the time lost so far. That said, the PM
himself is not entrusted with drafting the new constitution,
but will do what he can to accelerate it. Krit opined that
he was very surprised that the PM went this far with Arroyo.
Krit then referenced the timeline available on the MFA
website, pointing out that, if the Constitutional Drafting
Assembly (CDA) fails to complete a constitution within six
months, the Council on National Security (CNS) would be
required to provide a new charter. "This hangs like
Damocles' sword over the CNS." If the maximum time allotted
is used, that would lead to a new constitution and
preparations for elections by September 2007. As to the new
constitution worked up by the CDA, Krit predicts that it will
closely parallel the previous charter promulgated in 1997.
Krit cited the clause in the current, interim constitution
requiring the CDA to specifically detail how the new charter
will differ from the 1997 document.
4. (C) The Charge expressed hope that the political parties
will soon be free to engage in the evolving political
process. Krit pointed out that, in the Thai
political-culture context, the drafting of a new constitution
has historically not involved the political parties
themselves, out of concerns that partisan elements would seek
to derive unfair benefits from the charter. Instead, the
drafting process would be entrusted to non-partisan experts,
as he claimed is the case at present. Krit acknowledged that
this may seem strange when viewed from another cultural
context. The Charge noted this point, but explained that he
was referring to the lifting of restrictions on political
party activity.
5. (C) In response to U.S. offers of assistance in the
constitutional drafting process, Krit expressed appreciation
for the constructive role that informed comments could play,
but cautioned that such an effort could backfire if it were
widely-publicized.
BANGKOK 00007546 002 OF 002
ARVIZU