Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BANGKOK714
2008-03-07 04:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:  

A/S HILL AND FOREIGN MINISTER NOPPADON DISCUSS

Tags:  PREL PGOV PREF ECON EINV ETRD TH BM LA 
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INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 5682
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 4366
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 8451
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 0482
RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI PRIORITY 4920
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 000714 

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STATE PLEASE PASS USTR FOR BISBEE
NSC FOR PHU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF ECON EINV ETRD TH BM LA
SUBJECT: A/S HILL AND FOREIGN MINISTER NOPPADON DISCUSS
BURMA, BILATERAL TIES, MULTILATERAL FORA, HMONG REFUGEES


BANGKOK 00000714 001.2 OF 002


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 SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 000714

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE PLEASE PASS USTR FOR BISBEE
NSC FOR PHU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF ECON EINV ETRD TH BM LA
SUBJECT: A/S HILL AND FOREIGN MINISTER NOPPADON DISCUSS
BURMA, BILATERAL TIES, MULTILATERAL FORA, HMONG REFUGEES


BANGKOK 00000714 001.2 OF 002


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

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


1. (C) Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama told visiting A/S
Hill on February 29 that the situation in Burma represented
his highest priority, and he hoped to energize ASEAN to help
deal with the issue. A/S Hill described the importance of UN
Special Envoy Gambari's mission and emphasized that problems
in Burma complicated U.S. engagement with other ASEAN
nations. A/S Hill also discussed the ASEAN Regional Forum
and the possible creation of a Northeast Asian Peace and
Security Mechanism. Noppadon expressed enthusiasm for his
upcoming trip to Washington and requested help upgrading
Thailand from the Special 301 Priority Watch List and
restoring benefits under the Generalized System of Preference
for Thai gold jewelry exports. The Ambassador and DAS
Marciel raised concern about the recent Thai repatriation of
11 Hmong to Laos. End Summary.

DISCUSSIONS WITH THE DPRK
--------------


2. (C) A/S Hill, accompanied by the Ambassador, visiting EAP
DAS Marciel, EAP Special Assistant Klein, and Poloff
Greenberg (notetaker),called on Foreign Minister Noppadon
Pattama at the Foreign Ministry on February 29. A/S Hill
opened the meeting by introducing DAS Marciel and explaining
DAS Marciel had recently been nominated as the USG's first
Ambassador for ASEAN affairs. A/S Hill then explained
briefly his recent efforts to secure North Korea's nuclear
declaration, as well as the Six-Party effort that could lead
to a new Northeast Asia Peace and Security Mechanism.


3. (C) When Noppadon suggested that the ASEAN Regional Forum
might also provide a means of drawing North Korea into a

regional community, A/S Hill said he hoped a more responsible
North Korea could be more active in the ARF. A/S Hill spoke
highly of the ARF's potential for building international
ties, including through disaster relief exercises. The USG
would participate in ARF endeavors, and this would not come
at the expense of bilateral engagement with Southeast Asian
states.

ASEAN AND BURMA
--------------


4. (C) Noting that Thailand would begin chairing ASEAN in
July, Noppadon said he would try to make ASEAN more relevant,
with fewer meetings but more results. A/S Hill emphasized
that Burma's abominable human rights record unfairly impeded
U.S. engagement with ASEAN, even though the USG hoped that
Burma's problems would not have ramifications for the U.S.
relationship with other Southeast Asian nations. Noppadon
said he looked forward to hearing UN Special Envoy Ibrahim
Gambari's views on Burma in March. A/S Hill emphasized the
value of Gambari being able to return to Burma. He also
underlined that the Burmese regime should grant Gambari a
multi-entry visa.


5. (C) Noppadon described Burma as his top priority, saying
he hoped to engage more with the junta. He said he had had a
good discussion with the Burmese Foreign Minister, and he saw
Prime Minister Samak's upcoming trip to Burma as a good
opportunity. A/S Hill emphasized his pessimism about ongoing
Burmese constitutional reform efforts, which seemed to
exclude Aung San Suu Kyi and the opposition. Noppadon said
his Burmese counterpart had informed him that, while Aung San
Suu Kyi would not be able to hold political office, others
from the National League for Democracy would be able to
participate in coming elections. DAS Marciel said the
Burmese process remained opaque, but the threat of three
years' imprisonment for opposing the upcoming constitutional
referendum indicated clearly that the Burmese regime was not
meeting international standards.


BANGKOK 00000714 002.2 OF 002


BILATERAL TIES
--------------


6. (C) Noppadon thanked A/S Hill for his efforts to ensure a
prompt recision of restrictions on assistance to Thailand,
following the inauguration of the new administration.
Noppadon also said he looked forward to meeting Secretary
Rice in Washington in March, and to accompanying Prime
Minister Samak to the UN General Assembly in September. A/S
Hill recounted that President Bush had had a good phone
conversation with Samak, and he (Hill) would try to
facilitate a meeting between the President and Samak in the
coming months, although the time frame and venue remained
uncertain.


7. (C) Noppadon expressed hope that the USG and Thailand
could resume their bilateral Strategic Dialogue, and A/S Hill
said he looked forward to another round taking place in
Washington in the near future. Noppadon asked for Hill's
assistance in restoring Generalized System of Preferences
benefits for Thai exports of gold jewelry. Ambassador John
explained that the USG's determinations on GSP were made
transparently, according to objective criteria. Noppadon
requested that the USG upgrade Thailand from the Special 301
Priority Watch List. A/S Hill promised to look into the
matter, emphasizing the importance of intellectual property
to the U.S. economy. Citing a meeting he had on February 28
in Bangkok with representatives of U.S. pharmaceutical firms,
A/S Hill encouraged Noppadon to ensure a good dialogue
between the RTG and the pharmaceutical industry.

HMONG REFUGEES
--------------


8. (C) The Ambassador raised concern about 11 Hmong recently
repatriated from Thailand to Laos. It would be important to
ensure there were no cases of forcible repatriation.
Noppadon said the 11 Hmong had agreed to repatriation; the
RTG would never force people back against their will. DAS
Marciel added that it would be helpful if the GOL would
ensure international access to repatriated Hmong, to engender
confidence that returnees were not mistreated. Noppadon said
that the GOL was willing to provide such access, and he
anticipated further RTG-GOL discussion of this matter during
a visit to Vientiane that he and Prime Minister Samak would
undertake later that day.
JOHN