U.S., BRITISH AMBASSADORS PRESS GENERAL SONTHI ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 005127

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF PHUM KDM TH BM
SUBJECT: U.S., BRITISH AMBASSADORS PRESS GENERAL SONTHI ON
BURMA

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


1. (C) Summary. General Sonthi Boonyaratglin told the
Ambassador that he hopes that the confrontation in Burma
would be resolved by peaceful means but the situation could
result in further bloodshed if the Burmese military does not
refuse orders from the regime. Sonthi explained that his
comments September 26 indicating that the authorities had
acted properly were made before any reports of violence and
the declaration of martial law and agreed that military
action against demonstrators in Burma would be wrong and that
any resolution should be peaceful. End Summary.


2. (C) The Ambassador and UK Ambassador Quinton Quayle
September 27 jointly called on Royal Thai Army (RTA)
Commander-in-Chief and Chairman of the Council for National
Security General Sonthi Boonyaratglin to discuss the
situation in Burma and Sonthi's unhelpful September 26
comments on the situation there. General Anupong Paojinda,
who will replace Sonthi in the next few days, sat in. The
Ambassador asked General Sonthi whether the Royal Thai Army
(RTA) had information on events in Burma. General Sonthi
said that even though it is difficult to get a clear picture
of the situation in Burma, the root of the problem is the
Burmese dictators. Because of the unyielding stance of the
dictatorship, it is difficult for the people to achieve their
hope of democratic government. Sonthi stated that the only
way to truly resolve the situation is through the will of the
people being expressed through democratic means. If Aung San
Suu Kyi were released, it would be the direct result of the
people's efforts. Sonthi said the situation bears close
watching in the next two or three days.


3. (C) Sonthi said after declaration of martial law and the
Burmese regime's orders to prevent monks from leaving
temples, it may be more difficult for the people to succeed.
Despite the presence of troops in Rangoon, Sonthi said he
does not know whether it was the Burmese military (as opposed
to the police) that had fired on protesters and the RTA does
not know which troops are now stationed in Rangoon. He had
not received any reports of split within the Burmese military
ranks. The RTA, however, had heard that the military
commander in Rangoon had been replaced in recent days.


4. (C) The Ambassador asked General Sonthi whether the RTA
has discussed the events in Burma with their counterparts
from India and China. General Sonthi responded that no
discussions have taken place but agreed that such
communication would be helpful. When asked by the Ambassador
whether the RTA could influence the Burmese regime, Sonthi
demurred and said the RTA does not have regular communication
with the regime.


5. (C) The Ambassadors told Sonthi that his September 26
comments on Burma (see below) appeared to be sympathetic to
the Burmese dictators and supportive of using violence in
suppressing the protests. Sonthi denied that was his intent.
He had made his comments before any reports of violence and
before the regime declared martial law. Sonthi said he was
describing how, before the declaration of martial law, the
Burmese people and government had been using Thai methods in
the confrontation. The people were using monks as the face
of the protests and the Burmese regime had initially employed
police to address the protests. When asked if he will
clarify his comments in the future, Sonthi said now that the
RTG has formulated a public policy (septel),he will support
that new policy as he hopes the Burmese regime will exercise
restraint and resolve the situation peacefully.

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6. (C) Sonthi said he had not received any reports of a
divide within the Burmese military, and the Burmese people
and military are currently on opposing sides. If the
situation came to a head and there is no split within the
military, whereby elements of the military may switch to
support the democracy movement, a violent crackdown would
likely follow. Sonthi said the Burmese military would win if
a confrontation erupts unless elements of the military refuse
to follow orders from the regime.


7. (U) A Human Rights Watch (HRW) official based in Thailand
circulated the following translation of televised remarks by
General Sonthi on the night of September 26:

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BEGIN HRW TRANSLATION
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"Regarding the dispersal of demonstrations, the Burmese
government did not use military forces. Police were
deployed. That was the right approach. It has been used by
every country -- that the military must step back to let
police take charge. But the actual tactics may vary from
country to country. However, I think there is no violence in
the current situation. Everything is under control. The
Burmese government is still in control of the situation. On
the reports that Buddhist monks were assaulted (during the
dispersal of demonstrations),that cannot be concluded just
from looking at the photos. As it happened in Thailand,
sometimes people used violence against officials. So
officials may have to defend themselves. There has been no
political suppression. Burmese authorities should understand
that it -- getting Buddhist monks involved in the
demonstrations -- is a tactic used by demonstrators. So
Burmese authorities understand that they cannot use violence
against Buddhist monks. They must use a soft approach. I
was informed that Burma uses dialogue to solve the problem,
and senior Buddhist monks have helped negotiate to end the
problem. I do not think Burma will care (about international
pressure),because it does not really depend on anyone.
Burma has been taking care of itself all along. It does not
accept interference from outside. Moreover, there are many
countries that have discretely helped protect Burma -- such
as China and Korea. That is because Burma has plenty natural
resources that many major powers want to have their hand on.
We are neighbor (of Burma). If we get involved, that will
undermine our relationship."

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END HRW TRANSLATION
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COMMENT
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8. (C) We took the high road with Sonthi, rather than
immediately jumping on his ill-advised statement, and by the
end he was more or less saying the right things. As noted in
septel, Thai public pronouncements seem to be evolving in a
better direction but the key will be what they decide to say
in New York.
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