THAILAND REPORTS PROGRESS ON ASEAN CHARTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BANGKOK 004644 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2017 TAGS: PREL PHUM TH SUBJECT: THAILAND REPORTS PROGRESS ON ASEAN CHARTER Classified By: Political Counselor Susan M. Sutton reason 1.4 (b) and ( d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: DAS Marciel underscored the US interest in ASEAN during meetings August 22 and 23 with MFA ASEAN officials and MFA Permanent Secretary Virasakdi Futrukul. ASEAN DDG Manasvi regretted the cancellation of the Secretary's trip to Manila for the ARF, and the delay in the SIPDIS 30th anniversary summit; he emphasized that Thailand, and ASEAN, wanted the US to remain engaged in the region. DAS Marciel outlined concrete steps the US was taking to demonstrate and deepen its commitment, including the Enhanced Partnership. Manasvi outlined Thailand's priorities for the charter, which he expected would be ready for signature by the November summit. He and MFA permsec Virasakdi Futrukul underscored Thailand's role in pressing for human rights mechanism. End summary. ¶2. (C) DAS Scot Marciel discussed progress on the ASEAN charter in separate meetings with ASEAN Department DDG Manasvi Srisodapol and MFA Perm Sec Virasakdi Futrukul in meetings on August 22 and 23. Both reported very good progress on the charter, and highlighted Thailand's commitment to the inclusion of a human rights mechanism. DDG Manasvi told DAS Marciel that the charter was "90 percent complete." He said Thailand had three goals: -- to make ASEAN more transparent and rule-based; -- to make ASEAN more people-centered; and -- to make ASEAN more effective. ¶3. (C) In order to make ASEAN more rule-based, they needed to develop a dispute settlement mechanism. Manasvi noted that ASEAN had many concluded agreements, but suffered from a lack of implementation. In order to address this, they wanted the ASEAN Secretary-General to play a role in monitoring compliance. The SecGen would bring cases of non-compliance to the attention of the summit meetings. Manasvi said that ASEAN should increase its consultation with civil society to make it more "people-to-people" oriented. He admitted there were differences within ASEAN on this point; for example, he believed that Philippines supported an increased role for civil society, but he was not certain how Singapore really viewed this issue. Manasvi said that the private sector was definitely viewed as part of the people-to-people aspect. To make ASEAN more effective, they hoped to strengthen the role �0A;of the Chair, particularly to play a role if countries fall short of their commitments. Manasvi added that, in cases of serious breaches, consensus cannot be the only way to resolve problems. Manasvi added that they are not defining clearly what would constitute a "serious breach." HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISM/BURMA -------------- ¶4. (C) Both Manasvi and MFA Permsec Virasakdi showed some pride in the Thai role in supporting the human rights mechanism. Manasvi echoed what we have heard from other MFA interlocutors, saying that the Prime Minister had given instructions that the ASEAN Charter must provide for a human rights body. Permsec Virasakdi said that there had been initial difficulties with Burma, and that Vietnam had warned continued pressure risked a split between the original six and the four new members. Virasakdi claimed that Thai FonMin Nitya Pibulsonggram had found a formula that everyone could agree on as a basis for further discussion. They were now working on the terms of reference. DDG Manasvi said the Thai saw the human rights mechanism as an evolving process. Permsec Virasaksi pointed out one problem, that not all the ASEAN countries shared the same body of human rights laws. The ASEAN Secretariat was checking to see which of the relevant UN agreements had been signed by all ten countries; these could then form a base on which to build. Manasvi said that ASEAN would be open to outside participation in training once the HR mechanism was established. Permsec Virasakdi pointed out how far ASEAN had come: ten years ago, when Thai Fonmin Surin Pitsuwan, tried to introduce "flexible engagement" to respond to serious problems in Burma, many ministers were violently opposed to any interference in member states internal affairs; now, the ministers are discussing difficult human rights issues freely. ¶5. (C) DAS Marciel told Permsec Virasakdi that the US has noted a change in the ASEAN approach to Burma, which we hoped BANGKOK 00004644 002 OF 003 was having some effect. Marciel drew attention to our particular concerns about the arrests in Rangoon in response to anti-government demonstrations. Virasaksi noted that the Thai had just met with UN envoy Gambari to discuss the UN's role in Burma. Gambari had asked Thailand to convey to Rangoon that the UN wanted to engage on a comprehensive dialog with Burma. Marciel underscored our position that the Gambari visit should go beyond protocol. Rather than allowing him one call on ASSK, for example, he should be able to go back and forth between her and others, to facilitate dialog. ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES -------------- ¶6. (C) The goal is to have the charter finished by the November summit, Manasvi said. The foreign ministers would meet in NY on the margins of the UNGA to take a last look at the draft. Manasvi was not sure how much detail on the human rights mechanism they would be able to include at the point, but there were certainly be "language" in the Charter referring to it. Manasvi also noted the importance of addressing the development gap between the countries of ASEAN. New SecGen Surin Pitsuwan had floated the idea of using some of ASEAN's reserves for development work in the poorer member states. Manasvi said, "if we're serious about having a level playing field," the economic disparity among member states had to be addressed. He added that the Charter would establish a structure for ASEAN, but there is not yet agreement on what model to use. Each country covers ASEAN issues differently -- with a "superminister" who manages ASEAN problems in one country, for example, and an agenda-based approach, with different ministers attending based on the topics under discussion, in another. As a further issue, he noted that the ASEAN states do not want to cede any sovereignty to a strong secretary-general. For Thailand, the approval of the draft constitution on August 19 added a new complication, as the ASEAN Charter would probably have to be approved by the Thai legislature. SECURITY ISSUES -------------- ¶7. (C) Manasvi noted that ASEAN had to be able to address non-traditional security issues, for example, the question of nuclear power. It was important for ASEAN countries to be transparent with their neighbors, to assure them that they were only interested in nuclear power for peaceful purposes, and that they had effective safety plans in place. They are also looking at counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation. For example, Manasvi said, the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ) is "ASEAN's contribution to counter-proliferation;" it might be possible for it to be amended to better address concerns about WMD. These were the kinds of issues ASEAN would be facing and for which it had to be prepared. US ENGAGEMENT -------------- ¶8. (C) Manasvi expressed Thailand's disappointment at the recent difficulties with US participation in meetings with ASEAN counterparts. He noted that, in this region, symbols are important, as well as content. Marciel said that the Secretary was disappointed that events in the Middle East had SIPDIS prevented her from joining the ARF in Manila, and noted that US side was looking for a time and place to reschedule the 30th anniversary summit, which we hoped to do during Singapore's chairmanship. The President looked forward to hosting the ASEAN 7 at lunch in Sydney at APEC, although this was not meant to be a substitute for a summit. Manasvi underscored that Thailand wanted the US to be involved in the growing regional architecture. "We are trying to attract you," he said. Marciel affirmed continued US engagement, citing the growing number of activities under the Enhanced Partnership agreement as a sign of this. These are concrete steps the US is taking as it develops a stronger ASEAN focus. ¶9. DAS Marciel cleared this cable. BANGKOK 00004644 003 OF 003 BOYCE