Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BANGKOK2247
2007-04-20 10:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
REACTIONS TO PRESS REPORT ON US TRAINING FOR THAI
how-toVZCZCXRO1806 OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHBK #2247 1101038 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 201038Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6376 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS RHHMUNS/COMSOCPAC HONOLULU HI RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHFJSCC/COMMARFORPAC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 002247
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PACOM FOR FPA HUSO
NSC FOR MORROW
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2016
TAGS: MOPS MASS PREL TH
SUBJECT: REACTIONS TO PRESS REPORT ON US TRAINING FOR THAI
SOUTH
Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 002247
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PACOM FOR FPA HUSO
NSC FOR MORROW
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2016
TAGS: MOPS MASS PREL TH
SUBJECT: REACTIONS TO PRESS REPORT ON US TRAINING FOR THAI
SOUTH
Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) MFA Permanent Secretary Virasakdi Futrakul called
Ambassador on April 20 to discuss the recent press report
quoting MGEN Fridovich on possible USG training assistance
for Thai military operations in the South. The Permsec noted
that this report was being used for political purposes by a
former prime minister, GEN Chavalit Yongchaiyut, who wanted
to create problems for the current government. GEN Chavalit,
who hopes to be prime minister again soon, apparently drew on
these press reports to warn that the UN would soon be
involved in southern Thailand, and that international
peacekeepers would be deployed.
2. (C) The Ambassador reassured the Permsec that our policy
had not changed, and we recognize the problems in the South
as an internal Thai matter. The article appeared to be the
product of an overzealous reporter with his own agenda.
3. (C) Earlier on 4/20, the Ambassador made the same points
to GEN Winai Phattiyakul, Permsec at the Ministry of Defense,
in response to his question. GEN Winai appreciated the
explanation and said he would pass it along to RTA Commander
GEN Sonthi.
BOYCE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PACOM FOR FPA HUSO
NSC FOR MORROW
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2016
TAGS: MOPS MASS PREL TH
SUBJECT: REACTIONS TO PRESS REPORT ON US TRAINING FOR THAI
SOUTH
Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) MFA Permanent Secretary Virasakdi Futrakul called
Ambassador on April 20 to discuss the recent press report
quoting MGEN Fridovich on possible USG training assistance
for Thai military operations in the South. The Permsec noted
that this report was being used for political purposes by a
former prime minister, GEN Chavalit Yongchaiyut, who wanted
to create problems for the current government. GEN Chavalit,
who hopes to be prime minister again soon, apparently drew on
these press reports to warn that the UN would soon be
involved in southern Thailand, and that international
peacekeepers would be deployed.
2. (C) The Ambassador reassured the Permsec that our policy
had not changed, and we recognize the problems in the South
as an internal Thai matter. The article appeared to be the
product of an overzealous reporter with his own agenda.
3. (C) Earlier on 4/20, the Ambassador made the same points
to GEN Winai Phattiyakul, Permsec at the Ministry of Defense,
in response to his question. GEN Winai appreciated the
explanation and said he would pass it along to RTA Commander
GEN Sonthi.
BOYCE