Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KUALALUMPUR2125
2006-11-16 09:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Cable title:
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER NAJIB ON THAILAND
VZCZCXRO0580 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHKL #2125 3200923 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 160923Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7967 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 002125
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF TH MY
SUBJECT: DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER NAJIB ON THAILAND
REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 1976 - SURAYUD VISIT
B. KUALA LUMPUR 1764 - NO TEARS FOR THAKSIN
Classified By: Ambassador Christopher LaFleur for reasons 1.4 b, d
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 002125
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF TH MY
SUBJECT: DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER NAJIB ON THAILAND
REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 1976 - SURAYUD VISIT
B. KUALA LUMPUR 1764 - NO TEARS FOR THAKSIN
Classified By: Ambassador Christopher LaFleur for reasons 1.4 b, d
1. (C) During a November 14 conversation with visiting US
PACOM Commander Fallon and the Ambassador, Malaysian Deputy
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak offered his assessment of the
situation in Southern Thailand. Najib said that the GOM was
reassured by the clear change in policy toward the South
under the new Thai government. Ousted PM Thaksin has refused
to understand that the southern Thai wanted only two things:
1) to be able to practice their religion and culture without
being forced to assimilate into Thai culture; and 2) to
participate in Thailand's economic development. Thai Muslims
were loyal to the Thai King and were not bent on fighting
for, much less dying for, independence. The new regime
understood this and the GOM would look for ways to be
supportive (although he also noted that Malaysia would
continue to host the 133 Thai who fled recently into Malaysia
until they felt "comfortable" returning).
2. (C) Malaysia itself opposed military interference in
politics, Najib said, but he judged a lenient posture toward
this coup was warranted because it was a "special case." It
had clearly been guided by a "higher power" in Thailand and
not by the military's own ambitions. Thaksin had been
perceived as undermining the position of the Throne, making
his overthrow inevitable given Thai reverence for their
sovereign, according to Najib.
LAFLEUR
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF TH MY
SUBJECT: DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER NAJIB ON THAILAND
REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 1976 - SURAYUD VISIT
B. KUALA LUMPUR 1764 - NO TEARS FOR THAKSIN
Classified By: Ambassador Christopher LaFleur for reasons 1.4 b, d
1. (C) During a November 14 conversation with visiting US
PACOM Commander Fallon and the Ambassador, Malaysian Deputy
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak offered his assessment of the
situation in Southern Thailand. Najib said that the GOM was
reassured by the clear change in policy toward the South
under the new Thai government. Ousted PM Thaksin has refused
to understand that the southern Thai wanted only two things:
1) to be able to practice their religion and culture without
being forced to assimilate into Thai culture; and 2) to
participate in Thailand's economic development. Thai Muslims
were loyal to the Thai King and were not bent on fighting
for, much less dying for, independence. The new regime
understood this and the GOM would look for ways to be
supportive (although he also noted that Malaysia would
continue to host the 133 Thai who fled recently into Malaysia
until they felt "comfortable" returning).
2. (C) Malaysia itself opposed military interference in
politics, Najib said, but he judged a lenient posture toward
this coup was warranted because it was a "special case." It
had clearly been guided by a "higher power" in Thailand and
not by the military's own ambitions. Thaksin had been
perceived as undermining the position of the Throne, making
his overthrow inevitable given Thai reverence for their
sovereign, according to Najib.
LAFLEUR