Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BANGKOK5234
2007-10-04 07:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
THAI MFA ON BURMA, CHINA VIEWS
how-toVZCZCXRO6211 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHBK #5234 2770721 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 040721Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9993 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 4915 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 7726 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 3681 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 005234
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NSC FOR PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BM TH
SUBJECT: THAI MFA ON BURMA, CHINA VIEWS
REF: STATE 137644
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 005234
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NSC FOR PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BM TH
SUBJECT: THAI MFA ON BURMA, CHINA VIEWS
REF: STATE 137644
Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Ambassador made reftel points to MFA Permsec Virasakdi
Futrukul on October 3. Permsec Virsakdi took note of the
points but offered no direct response.
2. (C) Virsakdi told the Ambassador that he had spoken to a
Chinese diplomat recently, who had said that "there was
evidence the US is behind" the demonstrations, through
providing financing and perhaps other assistance. Virasakdi,
commenting on China's concerns, drew a parallel to the
Russian response to its neighbors' "color revolutions,"
noting that China is also concerned about its 'soft
underbelly." The Ambassador dismissed the allegations of a
US hand in the demonstrations. Virsakdi said he wasn't sure
if the Chinese were simply "buying the Burmese line" or
whether they actually believed it.
3. (C) Virsakdi also speculated on the whereabouts of Than
Shwe's family, currently believed to be in Laos. Virsakdi
said that he had learned of a recent request by the Burmese
government for a VVIP flight clearance to Singapore. He
suggested that this flight carried Than Shwe's family.
(Note: Virasakdi did not specify the exact date of the
flight. We note that, according to press reports, PM Soe Win
returned to Burma from Singapore right before his reported
death today. This could be another explanation for the VVIP
flight. End note.)
BOYCE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NSC FOR PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BM TH
SUBJECT: THAI MFA ON BURMA, CHINA VIEWS
REF: STATE 137644
Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Ambassador made reftel points to MFA Permsec Virasakdi
Futrukul on October 3. Permsec Virsakdi took note of the
points but offered no direct response.
2. (C) Virsakdi told the Ambassador that he had spoken to a
Chinese diplomat recently, who had said that "there was
evidence the US is behind" the demonstrations, through
providing financing and perhaps other assistance. Virasakdi,
commenting on China's concerns, drew a parallel to the
Russian response to its neighbors' "color revolutions,"
noting that China is also concerned about its 'soft
underbelly." The Ambassador dismissed the allegations of a
US hand in the demonstrations. Virsakdi said he wasn't sure
if the Chinese were simply "buying the Burmese line" or
whether they actually believed it.
3. (C) Virsakdi also speculated on the whereabouts of Than
Shwe's family, currently believed to be in Laos. Virsakdi
said that he had learned of a recent request by the Burmese
government for a VVIP flight clearance to Singapore. He
suggested that this flight carried Than Shwe's family.
(Note: Virasakdi did not specify the exact date of the
flight. We note that, according to press reports, PM Soe Win
returned to Burma from Singapore right before his reported
death today. This could be another explanation for the VVIP
flight. End note.)
BOYCE