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