Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BANGKOK2359
2008-08-05 04:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES LAO HMONG, BURMA, SOUTH, AND

Tags:  PREL PGOV PINS PREF SCUL UNESCO UNGA BM TH CB 
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VZCZCXRO3244
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHBK #2359 2180445
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 050445Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3910
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 6224
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 8936
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 4810
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 0957
RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI PRIORITY 5523
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 5366
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 002359 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS PREF SCUL UNESCO UNGA BM TH CB
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES LAO HMONG, BURMA, SOUTH, AND
PREAH VIHEAR WITH NSC SECGEN

REF: A. BANGKOK 2294 (MFA ON TEMPLE TALKS)

B. STATE 79734 (PROTECTING LAO HMONG)

Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John, reason: 1.4 (b) and (d).

SUMMARY
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 002359

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS PREF SCUL UNESCO UNGA BM TH CB
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES LAO HMONG, BURMA, SOUTH, AND
PREAH VIHEAR WITH NSC SECGEN

REF: A. BANGKOK 2294 (MFA ON TEMPLE TALKS)

B. STATE 79734 (PROTECTING LAO HMONG)

Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John, reason: 1.4 (b) and (d).

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) The Ambassador paid an introductory call on National
Security Council Secretary General Surapol Puanaiyaka on
August 4, in advance of Surapol's participation in the
upcoming POTUS visit. Surapol appeared receptive to points
the Ambassador made on Lao Hmong migrants, Burmese refugees,
Preah Vihear temple, and southern Thailand. End Summary.

REFUGEES
--------------


2. (C) The Ambassador on August 4 paid a courtesy call on
National Security Council Secretary General Surapol
Puanaiyaka during which he addressed the importance of
Thailand's continued assistance to refugees. Drawing on ref
B points, the Ambassador emphasized that the RTG needs an
improved screening process for Hmong migrants -- in
particular, a transparent screening process that meets
international standards. The Ambassador stressed that this
issue is an important priority for the United States.
Surapol said he understood the priority that the United
States placed on the Hmong, and promised to work closely with
the Embassy.


3. (C) The Ambassador thanked Surapol for the RTG's historic
assistance for Burmese refugees in Thailand, and for RTG
assistance in facilitating FLOTUS access to Mae Sot during
the upcoming visit of President Bush. The Ambassador also
noted the important role Thailand could play in promoting
democratic reform in Burma.

PREAH VIHEAR
--------------


4. (C) Surapol confided that the divergent views on the
disposition of the Preah Vihear temple continued to
complicate RTG relations with Cambodia, and mentioned that it
would be discussed further when Parliament reconvened on
August 6. He said that tensions decreased after the
Cambodian national elections, but he worried about the
"psychological impact" of a ceremony held by Prime Minister
Hun Sen's wife at the temple site on August 1. NSC Director
of Border and Defense Security Affairs Phonchat Bunnak, also
attending the meeting, stressed the sensitivity of the
prospective relocation of Cambodians living at the temple
site. The Ambassador reiterated that the USG viewed the
issue as a bilateral problem and supported the Thai position
that the issue did not warrant attention by the UN Security
Council.

SOUTHERN THAILAND
--------------


5. (C) The Ambassador inquired about Thailand's relations
with Malaysia. Surapol said that relations were strong, but
problems persisted in Thailand's southernmost provinces. The
Ambassador stressed that the U.S. viewed the conflict in
southern Thailand as an internal issue. Surapol thanked the
Ambassador, explaining that U.S. involvement in southern
matters could further complicate the situation.

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


6. (C) Despite having been in his current position for nearly
three months, Surapol was not prepared for a substantive
discussion. He stressed to the Ambassador that he was still
familiarizing himself with various issues and asked for his
understanding. Surapol expressed his intention to travel to
Washington in 2009 to meet counterparts.

JOHN