Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BANGKOK2095
2008-07-09 09:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF LEAHY VETTING CHANGES
how-toVZCZCXRO2623 PP RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHBK #2095 1910936 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 090936Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3641 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 002095
SIPDIS
FROM THE AMBASSADOR FOR A/S HILL
NSC FOR PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MAAR TH
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF LEAHY VETTING CHANGES
REF: JAKARTA 1240
Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 002095
SIPDIS
FROM THE AMBASSADOR FOR A/S HILL
NSC FOR PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MAAR TH
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF LEAHY VETTING CHANGES
REF: JAKARTA 1240
Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Embassy Bangkok strongly supports reftel
request for high-level, inter-agency review of recent changes
to the implementation of the Leahy Amendment. Recently
proposed changes to the Leahy human rights vetting process
pose a serious threat to USG security cooperation in
Thailand. Post recommends inter-agency review before
implementation of new policy. END SUMMARY.
NEW INTERPRETATION OF LEAHY VETTING RULES?
--------------
2. (C) Post understands that the Leahy Amendment vetting
procedures that we have been using were introduced based on a
coordinated process in consultation with Senator Leahy's
staff and the guidelines have worked for many years. There
appear to be two changes to the vetting process that would:
-- prohibit training of any member of a security force unit
with past human rights violations even if the violation was
committed long before the individual became a member of the
unit, and
-- require the vetting of every individual in a composite
unit, rather than vetting the unit and unit commander as
described in the Leahy Vetting Guide on the DRL website.
IMPACT ON SECURITY COOPERATION IN THAILAND
--------------
3. (C) These changes would impact negatively our engagement
with security forces here in Thailand. Expanding the
requirements as described in paragraph two would increase our
workload exponentially, overwhelm our staff, and lead to long
delays that would inevitably preclude many training events.
As such, the changes could damage our interests as the U.S.
benefits greatly from engagement with Thai security forces.
The U.S. military is permitted access to quality training
opportunities and we receive excellent cooperation from RTG
security forces on law enforcement issues. The application
of the Leahy Amendment in this new way could have disastrous
implications, in contravention of the intent of the Leahy
Amendment legislation.
4. (C) Post recommends that the application of the Leahy
Amendment return to established practice and fully supports
Embassy Jakarta's request for high-level, inter-agency review
of Leahy Amendment vetting requirements before the creation
of new policy that could possibly damage U.S. interests here
in Asia and elsewhere.
JOHN
SIPDIS
FROM THE AMBASSADOR FOR A/S HILL
NSC FOR PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MAAR TH
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF LEAHY VETTING CHANGES
REF: JAKARTA 1240
Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Embassy Bangkok strongly supports reftel
request for high-level, inter-agency review of recent changes
to the implementation of the Leahy Amendment. Recently
proposed changes to the Leahy human rights vetting process
pose a serious threat to USG security cooperation in
Thailand. Post recommends inter-agency review before
implementation of new policy. END SUMMARY.
NEW INTERPRETATION OF LEAHY VETTING RULES?
--------------
2. (C) Post understands that the Leahy Amendment vetting
procedures that we have been using were introduced based on a
coordinated process in consultation with Senator Leahy's
staff and the guidelines have worked for many years. There
appear to be two changes to the vetting process that would:
-- prohibit training of any member of a security force unit
with past human rights violations even if the violation was
committed long before the individual became a member of the
unit, and
-- require the vetting of every individual in a composite
unit, rather than vetting the unit and unit commander as
described in the Leahy Vetting Guide on the DRL website.
IMPACT ON SECURITY COOPERATION IN THAILAND
--------------
3. (C) These changes would impact negatively our engagement
with security forces here in Thailand. Expanding the
requirements as described in paragraph two would increase our
workload exponentially, overwhelm our staff, and lead to long
delays that would inevitably preclude many training events.
As such, the changes could damage our interests as the U.S.
benefits greatly from engagement with Thai security forces.
The U.S. military is permitted access to quality training
opportunities and we receive excellent cooperation from RTG
security forces on law enforcement issues. The application
of the Leahy Amendment in this new way could have disastrous
implications, in contravention of the intent of the Leahy
Amendment legislation.
4. (C) Post recommends that the application of the Leahy
Amendment return to established practice and fully supports
Embassy Jakarta's request for high-level, inter-agency review
of Leahy Amendment vetting requirements before the creation
of new policy that could possibly damage U.S. interests here
in Asia and elsewhere.
JOHN