THAI MFA OFFICIAL DISCUSSES UN REFORM ISSUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 000963 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/16/2016 TAGS: PREL TH UN SUBJECT: THAI MFA OFFICIAL DISCUSSES UN REFORM ISSUES REF: (A) BANGKOK 4746 (B) BANGKOK 4745 Classified By: Political Counselor Susan M. Sutton reason 1.4 (b) (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Poloff discussed UN reform issues with MFA International Organizations Department (IO) Counselor Tanee Sangrat on February 15. Tanee said that Thailand's final positions on UN reform issues are being reviewed by the Thai Permanent Mission in New York, but offered his impressions of where considerations are leading. Tanee said that Thailand agrees with the U.S. goals on UN management reform, but added that his government hoped that the process will not be pushed "too fast." On the question of Human Rights Council (HRC) qualifications, while Thailand wants to see the highest standards for membership, it does not agree with disqualification linked to existing UN Security Council sanctions against the country in question. Thailand would like to see a strong role for ECOSOC in the Peacebuilding Commission's (PBC) operations, Tanee said, citing ECOSOC's experience in Haiti and Guinea Bissau. Tanee said that his country supports the expansion of the Security Council, both permanent and non-permanent members, but has not decided on numbers or, in case of permanent members, any specific countries. End summary. MANAGEMENT REFORM ¶2. (C) Tanee said that Thailand agrees with the U.S. goals on UN management reform, but added that his government hoped that the process will not be pushed "too fast." While Thailand agrees that a UN that is well-managed, transparent and accountable is a universal goal for the body, the U.S. call for a review aimed at eliminating some UN programs deemed redundant or obsolete could hurt countries who have relied upon and benefited from these programs. There should be more "dialogue" with recipient countries before decisions are made to eliminate programs, he said. Tanee added that Thailand disagrees with linking the UN's FY 2006 budget with progress in management reform. Tanee believed that Thailand would support the Secretary General having expanded authority to redeploy resources and staff as long as the process was "observable, transparent and accountable." HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (HRC) ¶3. (C) According to Tanee, Thailand would want the HRC to be accorded, in line with the UN's Millennium Development Goals priorities (Security, Development and Human Rights) the same status as the Security Council and ECOSOC. Thailand would like to keep the membership of the HRC at a higher level (approximately 50 countries) than the U.S. suggestion of 22 to 30 countries. On the question of qualifications, while Thailand wants to see the highest standards for membership, it does not agree with disqualification linked to existing UN Security Council sanctions against the country in question, he said. ECOSOC AND PEACE BUILDING COMMISSION ¶3. (C) Thailand wants a strong and effective ECOSOC that does not duplicate the work of other bodies, Tanee said. He added that Thailand wants to see a strong and effective Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). In line with this, Thailand would like to see a strong role for ECOSOC in the PBC's operations, citing ECOSOC's experience in Haiti and Guinea Bissau. SECURITY COUNCIL EXPANSION ¶4. (C) Tanee said that his country supports the expansion of the Security Council, both permanent and non-permanent members, but has not decided on numbers or, in case of permanent members, any specific countries. He agreed that Japan appears to be a strong contender, having the financial, military and democratic credentials for permanent membership. He said that Thailand had been "uncomfortable" with the "G-4" campaign by Japan, Brazil, Germany and India. Tanee expressed interest in Japan's proposal to allow all UN member countries to run for the UNSC, with those garnering the votes of two thirds or more of all UN member states gaining SC permanent membership. BOYCE