AMBASSADOR PRESSES FOREIGN MINISTER TO RECOGNIZE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 000627 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2018 TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PROV YI EU TH SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PRESSES FOREIGN MINISTER TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 121 (MALAYSIA WILL RECOGNIZE) ¶B. STATE 16319 (DECISION TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO) ¶C. BANGKOK 455 (UNLIKELY TO RECOGNIZE QUICKLY) Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John. reason 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In the Ambassador's February 26 call on recently-inaugurated Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama (more detail septel),the Ambassador drew on background in ref B and urged that Thailand recognize the independence of Kosovo. The Ambassador explained how Kosovo's independence would help stabilize Europe, and how this matter was a high priority for both the USG and EU governments. Kosovo's situation was in no way analogous to that of Thailand's insurgency-plagued southern border provinces. ¶2. (C) Noppadon said the RTG was following closely the situation in the Balkans, would "thoroughly consider" the USG's request, and would reach a decision soon. Noppadon remarked that ASEAN had yet to take a position on Kosovo, implying that Thailand would not want to move on this issue prior to regional coordination. However, he noted that Malaysia was prepared in principle to recognize Kosovo (ref A),implying Malaysian leadership on this issue within ASEAN might enable Thailand to overcome its previously-expressed reluctance (ref C). JOHN