Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BANGKOK1414
2008-05-08 09:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
MGBM01: AMBASSADOR ASKS THAI PRIME MINISTER TO
how-toVZCZCXRO8315 OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHBK #1414 1290924 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 080924Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2965 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 8690 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 0713 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 5941 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 4588 RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI PRIORITY 5228 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 5326 RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 001414
SIPDIS
NSC FOR PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2018
TAGS: PREL EAID MOPS TH BM
SUBJECT: MGBM01: AMBASSADOR ASKS THAI PRIME MINISTER TO
PRESS BURMA TO FACILITATE HUMANITARIAN RELIEF
REF: STATE 48651
Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John, reason: 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 001414
SIPDIS
NSC FOR PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2018
TAGS: PREL EAID MOPS TH BM
SUBJECT: MGBM01: AMBASSADOR ASKS THAI PRIME MINISTER TO
PRESS BURMA TO FACILITATE HUMANITARIAN RELIEF
REF: STATE 48651
Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John, reason: 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) The Ambassador called on Prime Minister Samak
Sundaravej on May 8 to discuss conditions in Burma,
explaining that some projections estimated that cyclone
Nargis could claim significantly more than 100,000 lives.
The disaster could lead to massive suffering in Burma, and,
if not promptly and effectively addressed, a significant
influx of Burmese into Thailand. The Ambassador explained
that the World Food Program was prepared to undertake a
massive effort to feed up to 600,000 people in Burma, for up
to six months. The Ambassador thanked Samak for the
cooperation we had received to date from the RTG as we
endeavored to provide humanitarian assistance, noting that
Generals Boonsrang, Winai, and Nipat had proven very helpful,
including by functioning as intermediaries to the Burmese
junta. However, the extent of Burma's cooperation with
international efforts remained unclear.
2. (C) Samak asked directly, "What can I do to help?" The
Ambassador requested that Samak contact State Peace and
Development Council Chairman Than Shwe or others in the
Burmese leadership to press for visas for disaster assessment
team members, and to allow USG C-130 aircraft and potentially
other U.S. military assets to enter Burma in support of
relief efforts. Samak said he had spoken earlier in the day
with a representative of Burma's Labor Ministry (who was in
Bangkok for a regional meeting) and suggested that the
Burmese issue visas on arrival for those seeking to help with
relief efforts. Samak promised to try to speak with Than
Shwe and other top leaders in Burma, to convey the
international community's offer of help; Samak said it would
be easiest to speak with his counterpart by phone, but he was
willing to travel Burma if necessary. He thanked the
Ambassador for providing him this opportunity to relay this
message to the Burmese.
3. (C) The Ambassador explained that the USG had military
helicopters and other assets in the vicinity for the annual
Cobra Gold exercise. These aircraft could provide
significant assistance, and speedy deployment would save
thousands of lives. Allowing U.S. military aircraft to
operate in Burma would clearly be a significant step for the
junta, however, and the Ambassador asked that Samak assist by
explaining our mission would be purely humanitarian. Samak
said he understood and would try to call the Burmese Prime
Minister in approximately a half hour (soon after 1500 hrs
local time),to persuade the junta to agree. Samak --
seemingly unaware of previous major natural disasters in
Burma -- noted pessimistically that the Burmese had no
experience with such events. The Ambassador thanked Samak
for his efforts, noting that he (the Ambassador) would hold a
press conference in the afternoon of May 8 to discuss the
urgency of issuing Burmese visas to the U.S. DART team.
JOHN
SIPDIS
NSC FOR PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2018
TAGS: PREL EAID MOPS TH BM
SUBJECT: MGBM01: AMBASSADOR ASKS THAI PRIME MINISTER TO
PRESS BURMA TO FACILITATE HUMANITARIAN RELIEF
REF: STATE 48651
Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John, reason: 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) The Ambassador called on Prime Minister Samak
Sundaravej on May 8 to discuss conditions in Burma,
explaining that some projections estimated that cyclone
Nargis could claim significantly more than 100,000 lives.
The disaster could lead to massive suffering in Burma, and,
if not promptly and effectively addressed, a significant
influx of Burmese into Thailand. The Ambassador explained
that the World Food Program was prepared to undertake a
massive effort to feed up to 600,000 people in Burma, for up
to six months. The Ambassador thanked Samak for the
cooperation we had received to date from the RTG as we
endeavored to provide humanitarian assistance, noting that
Generals Boonsrang, Winai, and Nipat had proven very helpful,
including by functioning as intermediaries to the Burmese
junta. However, the extent of Burma's cooperation with
international efforts remained unclear.
2. (C) Samak asked directly, "What can I do to help?" The
Ambassador requested that Samak contact State Peace and
Development Council Chairman Than Shwe or others in the
Burmese leadership to press for visas for disaster assessment
team members, and to allow USG C-130 aircraft and potentially
other U.S. military assets to enter Burma in support of
relief efforts. Samak said he had spoken earlier in the day
with a representative of Burma's Labor Ministry (who was in
Bangkok for a regional meeting) and suggested that the
Burmese issue visas on arrival for those seeking to help with
relief efforts. Samak promised to try to speak with Than
Shwe and other top leaders in Burma, to convey the
international community's offer of help; Samak said it would
be easiest to speak with his counterpart by phone, but he was
willing to travel Burma if necessary. He thanked the
Ambassador for providing him this opportunity to relay this
message to the Burmese.
3. (C) The Ambassador explained that the USG had military
helicopters and other assets in the vicinity for the annual
Cobra Gold exercise. These aircraft could provide
significant assistance, and speedy deployment would save
thousands of lives. Allowing U.S. military aircraft to
operate in Burma would clearly be a significant step for the
junta, however, and the Ambassador asked that Samak assist by
explaining our mission would be purely humanitarian. Samak
said he understood and would try to call the Burmese Prime
Minister in approximately a half hour (soon after 1500 hrs
local time),to persuade the junta to agree. Samak --
seemingly unaware of previous major natural disasters in
Burma -- noted pessimistically that the Burmese had no
experience with such events. The Ambassador thanked Samak
for his efforts, noting that he (the Ambassador) would hold a
press conference in the afternoon of May 8 to discuss the
urgency of issuing Burmese visas to the U.S. DART team.
JOHN