PREAH VIHEAR: THAI MFA BRIEFS ON TALKS WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 002303 SIPDIS PARIS PLEASE PASS TO USMISSION UNESCO E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS ASEC CASC UNESCO SCUL PBTS UNSC, TH, CB SUBJECT: PREAH VIHEAR: THAI MFA BRIEFS ON TALKS WITH CAMBODIA REF: BANGKOK 2294 (MFA ON JULY 28 TALKS) BANGKOK 00002303 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James F. Entwistle, reason 1.4 ( b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In a July 30 briefing, a Thai senior MFA official discussed with a select group of diplomats the Thai-Cambodian dialogue on the Preah Vihear temple. (DCM and Poloff attended.) The Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand was present and, in a show of harmony, echoed many of the Thai points. The two countries' Foreign Ministers may meet again as soon as August 7 to continue to work toward a peaceful settlement, although the Thai side will require a substantial time to obtain legislative approval for any agreement with Cambodia on this matter. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) On July 30, Virachai Plasai, Legal Advisor to the Office of the Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary, briefed Chiefs of Mission from UNSC and ASEAN countries on the July 28 Thai-Cambodian talks on Preah Vihear. Virachai stuck closely to the operative language in the text of the MFA's public statement ("story") provided in reftel. In a show of harmony, Virachai welcomed the presence of the Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand, who then repeated the operative language of the text as he explained his government's position. ¶3. (SBU) In his briefing and the ensuing discussion, Virachai added the following clarifications: - Thai military commanders had provided assurances that they could restrain the troops in the border area and would prevent any "individual acts" that could lead to an "undesirable incident." - The redeployment of troops away from the vicinity of the temple would be directed by the governments of both sides, not necessarily in a coordinated fashion; the modalities of troop withdrawal remained to be determined. The Thai Army Commander would redeploy his troops when ordered to do so by civilian authorities. - Unresolved issues of top priority included the disposition of Cambodians in the vicinity of the temple, as well as their homes and market. - The Thais would require substantial time to conclude an agreement with Cambodia, as any agreement on this matter appears to require legislative approval, under the provisions of Article 190 of the Thai Constitution. - The two sides' Foreign Ministers would meet again as soon as possible, hopefully after a delay measured in weeks rather than months. The Cambodian Ambassador interjected that the Royal Government of Cambodia had suggested a meeting on August 1 or August 7, but the RTG was unable to accept those dates. Virachai responded that the Thai side did not rule out August 7, but the newly-appointed Thai Foreign Minister faced substantial demands on his time relating to his assumption of his office. - The relevant formula for meetings between the Foreign Ministers entails the two sides "agreeing to recommend" certain actions to their respective governments. The Thai MFA had on July 29 forwarded to the Thai cabinet recommendations that emerged from the July 28 talks, as specified in the text reported in reftel. - The "Temporary Coordinating Task Force" specified in the text reported in reftel would consist of "all concerned agencies." ¶4. (C) Comment: There is clearly more work to be done to resolve the issues surrounding the Preah Vihear temple, and the Thai side appears to be significantly constrained by constitutional provisions requiring parliamentary approval of BANGKOK 00002303 002.2 OF 002 "treaties." It appears, however, that the Thais are committed to resolving the matter peacefully, and they have a vision for how to proceed in their bilateral talks with Cambodia. JOHN