DEFENSE MINISTER PLEDGES NO INTERFERENCE IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 005646

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PREF KDEM MARR MCAP TH BM
SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTER PLEDGES NO INTERFERENCE IN
ELECTIONS

REF: BANGKOK 5600

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


1. (C) Summary. Defense Minister Boonrawd Somtas told the
Ambassador that the Thai military is committed to not
interfering in the coming political campaign and that the
Council for National Security could dissolve as it has no
role to play at this point. Boonrawd stated his hope that
the Burmese regime understands that there is an opportunity
to resolve the situation in Burma through dialogue. End
Summary.

BURMA
--------------


2. (C) In a November 1 call on Minister of Defense General
Boonrawd Somtas, the Ambassador told Boonrawd his decision to
cancel his visit to Burma was correct, as the U.S. believes
that all countries should keep their contacts with the
Burmese military to an absolute minimum. (Note. Boonrawd
planned to visit Burma at the same period as the recent
violent crackdown but canceled when the Burmese regime
cracked down on the opposition. End note.) Boonrawd
expressed his hope that the Burmese regime is at a point
where it will recognize that the use of FORCE is not the
answer to the situation in Burma and that dialogue with all
parties is the way to solve the crisis. Special Envoy
Gambari's visit to Burma is an opportunity for the Burmese
regime to demonstrate that it is willing to work with all
parties, including Aung San Suu Kyi, monks, and minority
groups, Boonrawd said.


3. (C) The Ambassador stressed that USG policy on Burma
should be seen as a signal of support for the Burmese
people's desire for democracy and asked about RTG thinking on
the situation in Burma. Boonrawd described the difficulties
that the RTG faces due to the long Thai-Burmese border, the
large number of illegal Burmese immigrants living in
Thailand, and pressure from the Burmese government for the
RTG to do something about Burmese activists. Despite these
challenges, the RTG is trying to accelerate the transfer of
power to a democratic government in Burma through political
and economic development. Burmese transition to democracy as
an accepted member of the international community is of
primary concern to the Thai government. The RTG will watch
Special Envoy Gambari's upcoming visit closely to judge the
intentions of the Burmese regime.

CNS ACTIVITIES AND THE ELECTION
--------------


4. (C) The Ambassador stressed to the Minister that, with
elections formally scheduled, the military should not be
involved in shaping the political environment. Any
perception of military plans to interfere in election
processes, such as the Council for National Security (CNS)
documents discussing the strategies to discredit the
pro-Thaksin People's Power Party (PPP),runs the risk of
casting the election as illegitimate. Boonrawd said military
had endeavored to illustrate to the public the damage that
Thai Rak Thai policies had brought upon Thailand, and that
PPP would bring corruption and abuses of power back to the
country. Thailand is now at a point in the political process
that this Royal Thai Army effort was no longer necessary,
Boonrawd explained.


5. (C) The Ambassador asked Boonrawd to comment on the
recent comments by Royal Thai Supreme Commander General
Boonsrang Niampradit that the CNS no longer has a role to
play and should dissolve. With the political campaign
beginning soon, the Ambassador said dissolution of the CNS
would be a positive signal that the military does not plan to
interfere in the elections. Boonrawd said he agrees with
Boonsrang that the CNS lacks a role and should therefore
dissolve.


6. (C) Boonrawd described the October 30 decision by the
Thai Cabinet to lift martial law in all but 179 primarily
border districts as a signal of the RTG's commitment to free

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and fair elections. Security problems, such as narcotics
trafficking and illegal immigration, in the districts that
will remain under martial law substantiate the need for the
law to remain in those areas. The Ambassador said a complete
lifting of martial law would be another positive signal.

GRIPEN FIGHTER PLANE DECISION
--------------


7. (C) The Ambassador told Boonrawd that we had hoped that
the Royal Thai AIR FORCE (RTAF) would have chosen the F-16 to
replace Thai F-5 aircraft. Despite disappointment with the
RTAF decision to buy the Swedish SAAB Gripen, we look forward
to working with the RTAF to address munitions requirements
for the Gripen and believe the Mid-Life Update to existing
RTAF F-16s is still the best choice to meet the fighter
aircraft requirements in the future. Boonrawd said he had no
role in the decision, which had been made by the RTAF.

COMMENT
--------------


8. (C) Boonrawd did not deny the existence of the CNS
documents or the activities described therein; this lends
credence to the charges that the CNS did indeed have a media
plan to "educate" the public about choosing "the right"
candidates in the coming election. Boonrawd said the right
things on election issues, but he has had little apparent
influence during his term as minister. We will continue to
raise these concerns with our military interlocutors.
BOYCE