Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BANGKOK2536
2008-08-25 10:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
RUSSIA-GEORGIA: THAIS POSITIVE ON HUMANITARIAN
how-toVZCZCXRO7767 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHBK #2536 2381015 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 251015Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4094 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 1546 RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY 0086 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 5368
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 002536
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/RUS, EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC GG RU MARR
SUBJECT: RUSSIA-GEORGIA: THAIS POSITIVE ON HUMANITARIAN
ASPECT BUT UNLIKELY TO SPEAK OUT
REF: STATE 89769
Classified By: DCM James F. Entwistle, reason 1.4 (b, d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 002536
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/RUS, EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC GG RU MARR
SUBJECT: RUSSIA-GEORGIA: THAIS POSITIVE ON HUMANITARIAN
ASPECT BUT UNLIKELY TO SPEAK OUT
REF: STATE 89769
Classified By: DCM James F. Entwistle, reason 1.4 (b, d)
1. (C) We delivered reftel demarche to MFA Director for
Central and Eastern Europe Pachuen Phornmongkol on August 22.
Pachuen said that the MFA and RTG had not formed a position
on the Russia-Georgia conflict. She reacted positively to
points about facilitating humanitarian assistance to Georgia
and said Thailand would support this position, but she was
non-committal about a call for withdrawal/honoring the terms
of the cease fire agreement. Pachuen asked what the U.S. and
western countries planned as next steps if Russia did not
comply. Comment: We expect the RTG to continue its
low-profile stance on the Georgian-Russian conflict, as it
continues to nurture a relationship with Russia with an eye
towards energy deals and is consumed with problems closer to
home. End Comment.
PM Samak to Russia in October to talk energy
--------------
2. (C) Pachuen confirmed that PM Samak will proceed with an
October 5 visit to Russia to discuss possible energy deals,
despite the awkward timing vis-a-vis the Russian incursion
into Georgia. Pachuen explained that the trip was long in
the making, dating back conceptually to the Thaksin era.
Initially Thailand aspired to become a regional "energy hub"
via creation of a "land bridge" across the southern Thai
isthmus, offering an alternative to the Strait of Malacca and
challenging Singapore's hub role. After that concept became
impractical, the trip's focus shifted to Thailand acquiring
inexpensive diesel from Russia for the domestic market.
3. (C) Pachuen admitted that Petroleum Authority of Thailand
analysts were worried that Russian heavy oil would require
extensive refining, making it economically unfeasible, but at
this point the "big fish," PM Samak and Russian President
Medvedev, were in control of the possible deal; "minnow"
bureaucrats would have to implement whatever was agreed upon.
We reviewed recent Russian practices in energy contract
manipulation, both in squeezing out western investors in
Russia and pressuring countries like Ukraine by tearing up
contracts and threatening supply cuts. Pachuen nodded
helplessly, saying "I personally have no illusions about
Russia," but reasserting that such large-scale decisions were
made top-down in both Thailand and Russia.
JOHN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/RUS, EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC GG RU MARR
SUBJECT: RUSSIA-GEORGIA: THAIS POSITIVE ON HUMANITARIAN
ASPECT BUT UNLIKELY TO SPEAK OUT
REF: STATE 89769
Classified By: DCM James F. Entwistle, reason 1.4 (b, d)
1. (C) We delivered reftel demarche to MFA Director for
Central and Eastern Europe Pachuen Phornmongkol on August 22.
Pachuen said that the MFA and RTG had not formed a position
on the Russia-Georgia conflict. She reacted positively to
points about facilitating humanitarian assistance to Georgia
and said Thailand would support this position, but she was
non-committal about a call for withdrawal/honoring the terms
of the cease fire agreement. Pachuen asked what the U.S. and
western countries planned as next steps if Russia did not
comply. Comment: We expect the RTG to continue its
low-profile stance on the Georgian-Russian conflict, as it
continues to nurture a relationship with Russia with an eye
towards energy deals and is consumed with problems closer to
home. End Comment.
PM Samak to Russia in October to talk energy
--------------
2. (C) Pachuen confirmed that PM Samak will proceed with an
October 5 visit to Russia to discuss possible energy deals,
despite the awkward timing vis-a-vis the Russian incursion
into Georgia. Pachuen explained that the trip was long in
the making, dating back conceptually to the Thaksin era.
Initially Thailand aspired to become a regional "energy hub"
via creation of a "land bridge" across the southern Thai
isthmus, offering an alternative to the Strait of Malacca and
challenging Singapore's hub role. After that concept became
impractical, the trip's focus shifted to Thailand acquiring
inexpensive diesel from Russia for the domestic market.
3. (C) Pachuen admitted that Petroleum Authority of Thailand
analysts were worried that Russian heavy oil would require
extensive refining, making it economically unfeasible, but at
this point the "big fish," PM Samak and Russian President
Medvedev, were in control of the possible deal; "minnow"
bureaucrats would have to implement whatever was agreed upon.
We reviewed recent Russian practices in energy contract
manipulation, both in squeezing out western investors in
Russia and pressuring countries like Ukraine by tearing up
contracts and threatening supply cuts. Pachuen nodded
helplessly, saying "I personally have no illusions about
Russia," but reasserting that such large-scale decisions were
made top-down in both Thailand and Russia.
JOHN