DEPARTMENT CLEARANCE FOR LEAHY REQUEST - JUSMAG - ROYAL THAI

UNCLAS STATE 120035 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR MASS MOPS PHUM PREL SNAR KCRM TH SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT CLEARANCE FOR LEAHY REQUEST - JUSMAG - ROYAL THAI ARMY OFFICERS TO VISIT FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA AND MAC DILL AIR FORCE BASE, TAMPA, FLORIDA REF: BANGKOK 3288 ¶1. (SBU) The Department of State reviewed its files and found that, to date, it possesses no credible evidence of gross violations of human rights committed by the individuals listed below. These individuals are candidates to visit the United States Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Special Operations Command at Mac Dill Air Force Base, Florida from December 7-13, 2008. ¶2. (U) Candidates: Name: Puchong Rattanawan DPOB: May 02, 1950; Nakhon Pathom, Thailand Title/Rank: Lieutenant General, Commanding General Unit: Special Warfare Command, Royal Thai Army Name: Soopawoot Utama DPOB: July 07, 1053; Nong Khai, Thailand Title/Rank: Major General, Commander Unit: 1st Special Forces Division, Royal Thai Army Name: Powpon Ponglowkam DPOB: April 22, 1953; Suphan Buri, Thailand Title/Rank: Major General, Commander Unit: Special Warfare Center and School, Royal Thai Army Name: Sadet Arkajag DPOB: August 14, 1969; Korat, Thailand Title/Rank: Lieutenant Colonel, Commander Unit: 1st Battalion 3rd Special Forces Regiment, Royal Thai Army ¶3. (U) Post may provide the following statement to authorized parties: Embassy verifies that the Department of State possesses no credible information of gross violations of human rights by the individuals identified above, as of this date. Post may cite this cable in response. ¶4. (U) If, in the future, post becomes aware of possible human rights violations by the individuals listed above, post should inform the Department and not proceed with training. ¶5. (U) POC for this action is Jameson DeBose: -Email: DeBoseJL@state.gov -Phone: 202-647-2989 RICE