THAILAND: DEMARCHE ON UN CONFERENCE ON FINANCIAL

UNCLAS BANGKOK 001249 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, IO/EDA/DBALLARD, EEB/IFD/ODF/KMONAHAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN UNGA TH SUBJECT: THAILAND: DEMARCHE ON UN CONFERENCE ON FINANCIAL CRISIS REF: STATE 50892 ¶1. (SBU) On May 21, Econoff delivered reftel demarche points on the upcoming "United Nations Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development" to Chulamanee Chartsuwan, Director of International Economic Policy in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Chulamanee and her colleagues at MFA are leading the Thai interagency discussions for the upcoming conference, coordinating the substantive details closely with their colleagues at the Ministry of Finance. Chulamanee confirmed that Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu is expected to lead the Thai delegation to the UN conference. ¶2. (SBU) Chulamanee, who appeared well-versed on the demarche issue, agreed with USG concerns about the proposed outcome document that had been circulated by the President of the General Assembly. However, she quickly pointed out that her office was currently reviewing a second draft of the outcome document, dated May 18, that she viewed as a more acceptable document. Chulamanee will lead a Thai interagency meeting on May 25 to review this latest outcome document to determine Thailand's position. She acknowledged the USG demarche points and agreed to bring our concerns to the discussion on May 25. Chulamanee also noted that her government would not veer far from the G77 overall position since Thailand is currently chair of the Geneva Chapter of the G77. ¶3. (SBU) We will continue to engage with our colleagues at the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance on the draft outcome document and will forward any relevant information on Thailand's position to IO/EDA and EEB/IFD/ODF. JOHN