Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BANGKOK455
2008-02-12 23:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
THAILAND UNLIKELY TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO QUICKLY
how-toVZCZCXRO6339 OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHBK #0455 0432350 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 122350Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1794 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 0013 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 5285 RUEHPS/USOFFICE PRISTINA 0025
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 000455
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2018
TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PROV YI EU TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND UNLIKELY TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO QUICKLY
REF: STATE 13716
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 000455
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2018
TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PROV YI EU TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND UNLIKELY TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO QUICKLY
REF: STATE 13716
Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John. reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Thailand is concerned that Kosovo
independence could set a bad precedent, given Thailand's own
issues with separatist insurgents in the Malay-muslim
majority deep southern provinces. The MFA permanent
secretary told Ambassador on February 12 that Thailand
SIPDIS
"almost certainly" would not recognize Kosovo at this time.
End summary.
2. (C) Ambassador conveyed reftel points to MFA Permanent
Secretary Virasakdi Futrukul on February 12. Permsec
SIPDIS
Virasakdi underscored Thai concerns over Kosovo's
independence declaration. He drew a parallel between
Kosovo's position as a Muslim-majority region seeking to
break away from Serbia, and the Muslim-majority deep southern
provinces of Thailand, where some insurgent groups also
aspire to forming an independent state. He said that
Thailand "almost certainly" would not recognize Kosovo
independence at this time.
3. (C) Polcouns made reftel points to MFA European Affairs
Director General Suthee Nalampang on February 12 as well.
Polcouns emphasized that our support for Kosovo independence
was consistent with UNSC resolution 1244 and with the
recommendations of the UN Special Envoy. She also
underscored reftel points stating specifically that Kosovo
was a special case and was not a precedent for other regions.
DG Suthee took note of these points and appreciated our
explanation of the principles on which our decision was
based, but could not make any commitment for the Thai side.
4. (C) Comment: If, as expected, a large number of European
countries recognize Kosovo, the Thai may be willing to
revisit this issue. However, they are likely to remain
concerned that, despite our statements to the contrary,
Kosovo could be seen as a bad precedent applicable to their
southern problem. This will be a difficult barrier for the
Thai to overcome.
JOHN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2018
TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PROV YI EU TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND UNLIKELY TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO QUICKLY
REF: STATE 13716
Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John. reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Thailand is concerned that Kosovo
independence could set a bad precedent, given Thailand's own
issues with separatist insurgents in the Malay-muslim
majority deep southern provinces. The MFA permanent
secretary told Ambassador on February 12 that Thailand
SIPDIS
"almost certainly" would not recognize Kosovo at this time.
End summary.
2. (C) Ambassador conveyed reftel points to MFA Permanent
Secretary Virasakdi Futrukul on February 12. Permsec
SIPDIS
Virasakdi underscored Thai concerns over Kosovo's
independence declaration. He drew a parallel between
Kosovo's position as a Muslim-majority region seeking to
break away from Serbia, and the Muslim-majority deep southern
provinces of Thailand, where some insurgent groups also
aspire to forming an independent state. He said that
Thailand "almost certainly" would not recognize Kosovo
independence at this time.
3. (C) Polcouns made reftel points to MFA European Affairs
Director General Suthee Nalampang on February 12 as well.
Polcouns emphasized that our support for Kosovo independence
was consistent with UNSC resolution 1244 and with the
recommendations of the UN Special Envoy. She also
underscored reftel points stating specifically that Kosovo
was a special case and was not a precedent for other regions.
DG Suthee took note of these points and appreciated our
explanation of the principles on which our decision was
based, but could not make any commitment for the Thai side.
4. (C) Comment: If, as expected, a large number of European
countries recognize Kosovo, the Thai may be willing to
revisit this issue. However, they are likely to remain
concerned that, despite our statements to the contrary,
Kosovo could be seen as a bad precedent applicable to their
southern problem. This will be a difficult barrier for the
Thai to overcome.
JOHN