THAI RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON TRIPARTITE CORE GROUP

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 000121 SIPDIS DEPT FOR F AND EAP/MLS - JOHN EMERY E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2019 TAGS: PREL PHUM BM TH SUBJECT: THAI RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON TRIPARTITE CORE GROUP EXTENSION, EFFORTS TO ENGAGE BURMA ON THE ISSUE REF: STATE 3932 Classified By: PolCounselor George Kent, reason: 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (SBU) We delivered reftel points regarding the Tripartite Core Group (TCG) to Jirusaya Biranada of the Department of East Asia Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on January 15. We explained that the TCG has played a critical role in facilitating post-cyclone Nargis assistance in the Irrawaddy Delta Region, that the TCG mandate was to expire in July 2009, and the USG was eager for the TCG to receive an extension of its mandate for an additional year. Thai have already weighed in with Burmese -------------- ¶2. (C) Jirusaya replied that the RTG definitely supported the extension of the TCG. She explained that on January 12, FM Kasit Piromya had a breakfast meeting with Burmese Deputy FM Kyaw Thu. Kasit encouraged Kyaw Thu to extend the TCG's mandate. Kyaw Thu stated that he would take this issue up with the GOB for further consideration. However, Kyaw Thu claimed that the TCG was posing a risk in Burma because the TCG's activities had led to an influx of foreign currency (especially U.S. dollars) into Burma, and this could have (unspecified) negative consequences. Kyaw Thu added that the TCG's activities entailed a large personal risk for him, jeopardizing his career. Kyaw Thu did state that he believed that the TCG was a useful mechanism for post-Nargis assistance. Jirusaya responded that she would relay our request for the TCG to be extended at the next Humanitarian Task Force meeting and would pass U.S. views to her MFA counterparts who work on ASEAN issues; Thailand currently serves as ASEAN Chair. Thai assistance for Delta Reconstruction -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Jirusaya explained that the RTG believed that disaster and humanitarian relief in the Irrawaddy Delta could facilitate international communication with the GOB. She noted that this was the one mechanism through which Burma was allowing international cooperation inside its borders and stated that the RTG was seizing this opportunity. The RTG had increased its bilateral assistance activity lately by acting as a coordinator and facilitator of aid donations going into the Irrawaddy Delta region: to repair temples that were damaged by cyclone Nargis, and to build new shelters and schools that serve as multi-purpose buildings. The Thai Red Cross and the Royal Thai Army would lead these reconstruction efforts, funded by a mix of donations from Thai citizens and the RTG. The RTG had also donated fishing nets, small fishing vessels, seed and plowing machines to the victims in Irrawaddy Delta region. Jirusaya added that King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit had donated 5 million Thai Baht (approximately $150,000) to the Burmese Embassy for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Irrawaddy Delta region. JOHN