SENATOR WEBB MEETS WITH THAI PRIME MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 004127

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL ETRD MARR TH
SUBJECT: SENATOR WEBB MEETS WITH THAI PRIME MINISTER
SURAYUD CHULANONT

Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY Senator James Webb underscored his support
for strong U.S.-Thai relations in a meeting with Prime
Minister Surayud Chulanont on July 6. He expressed his
confidence that the Thai people would solve the problems the
country was facing and would return to democratic, elected
government. Webb emphasized the importance of continued U.S.
engagement in the region as a force for stability, especially
in the light of the growing role of China. The Prime
Minister repeatedly pledged to hold elections before the end
of the year. The PM noted that the reduction of Thailand's
GSP benefits were seen by some as a "tit for tat" response to
the RTG's announcement of compulsory licensing for some
drugs; some believed that the US had given in to pressure
from the pharmaceutical lobby. Surayud said that that he had
taken office with the goal of solving the political crisis
and working on the problems in the South, but had been drawn
into many troublesome issues. Senator Webb was accompanied by
Ambassador Boyce, Senior advisor Jennifer Park Stout and
embassy notetaker. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Meeting with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on July
6, Senator Webb emphasized his support for strong U.S.-Thai
relations, saying that these were good for the both our
countries, as well as for the region. He expressed hope that
Thailand could move forward again politically after the bump
in the road it had run into last year. Surayud agreed that
Thailand had hit "a big pothole on our path to democracy."
He assured the Senator, saying "We are trying our best to
return to the democratic path." Surayud noted recent
progress, including the approval of the new constitution
draft. Thailand was proceeding according to the schedule it
had laid out, with the constitution referendum scheduled for
August 19, a little earlier than previously planned. Surayud
said that they also hoped to hold the elections earlier than
planned, if possible. The earliest possible date, he said,
would be November 25, although "various sectors" are
concerned that this was too soon. Other dates under
consideration were December 16 or December 23. Surayud said
that he did not want the elections delayed until next year.
He said that the RTG had polling data which showed that the
people wanted elections as soon as possible.


3. (C) Senator Webb expressed his confidence, as someone
familiar with Thai history, that the Thai people would
resolve this problem, and find a good solution. Looking at
larger regional issues, Webb put particular emphasis on the
growing role of China, noting that the U.S. had to stay
engaged in Asia, and that doing so would promote regional
stability. If the U.S. recedes, he said, turbulence will
increase. Webb wanted Thailand to know that we value our
relations with the countries in this region, including our
military relations. He had come to the region to listen to
the views of people here, as well as to underscore the
strength of our ties. Webb noted that Thailand was always
very adept at balancing its international relations, and we
wanted to be sure that the U.S. was always part of Thailand's
considerations.


4. (C) Prime Minister Surayud replied that Thailand was also
concerned about China. He said that other leaders in the
region he had spoken to agreed. "We have China on the other
side of us. We don't want to be on our own," he said. He
saw this as a crucial time for Thailand, as it adapted to the
developments in the region.


5. (C) The Prime Minister raised concerns about the US
decision to cut some GSP benefits for Thailand. He said that
his country was trying to overcome the lack of investor
confidence, to create understanding and trust. He said that
sometimes it could appear that the US was following a short
term policy based on "tit for tat." Many people here, for
example, thought that the decision to cut some of Thailand's
GSP benefits was a response to the RTG move on compulsory
licensing on some drugs. It would be helpful for the U.S. to
make it clearer that this was not the case. Many people also
believe that pressure from the pharmaceutical lobby was
responsible for the U.S. decision. He said that it would be
helpful if the U.S. could reconsider the GSP decision.

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6. (C) Senator Webb agreed that both sides should reaffirm
the strength of the relationship, If we relied on a "tit for
tat" approach, it meant that we were "not looking at the
larger relationship." That said, he noted that it was very
positive that the Thai had advanced the date of the
referendum, thus addressing key U.S. concerns.


7. (C) Senator Webb and PM Surayud briefly discussed the
challenges of international terrorism and the war in Iraq,
noting the importance of drawing on diplomatic means to
resolve the conflicts in the Middle East and other areas.


8. (C) Prime Minister Surayud acknowledged somewhat ruefully
that it was difficult to convince the U.S. Congress that his
predecessor (former PM Thaksin Shinawatra) had not set a
"good example." Surayud said that he had come under a lot of
pressure to accelerate the anti-corruption investigations
into Thaksin, but he believed that the government should not
interfere in the courts and that it should respect the rule
of law. He believed that his critics now understood better
that he had proceeded correctly. Surayud said that he had
taken office with two main goals: to resolve the political
crisis, and to address the problems in the South. But he had
been faced with many other issues that he hadn't expected
(such disputes over the creation of a public TV channel).
Surayud joked that he was personally looking forward to
ending his term as PM, and he concluded the meeting by
assuring the Senator again that Thailand was moving forward
on the road to democracy.


9. (U) Codel Webb cleared this cable.
ENTWISTLE