THAILAND CONFIRMS ASEAN SUMMIT'S DATES AND VENUE, LOOKS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 000159 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM MARR TH SUBJECT: THAILAND CONFIRMS ASEAN SUMMIT'S DATES AND VENUE, LOOKS FORWARD TO ARF BUT HAS SOFA CONCERNS ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request; see para 9. ¶2. (SBU) Summary. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) ASEAN Deputy Director-General (DDG) Manasvi Srisodapol confirmed to us in a mid-January discussion that the ASEAN Summit's venue and dates were set from February 27-March 1 to be held in Hua Hin. He stated that the Summit will be split into two separate parts, with the "second phase" of meetings with partners to be held in the second part of April. The degree of involvement of partner country Ambassadors to ASEAN had not yet been set. On ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) related developments, Thailand looked forward to serving as Co Chair for the Intersessional on Disaster Relief with the U.S. Thailand was concerned, however, about the lack of a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) which could facilitate more operational cooperation; for instance, the lack of a SOFA would prevent Thai military officials from participating in the ARF Disaster Relief Forum in the Philippines on May 4-8, 2009, though the Thai planned to send observers. Manasavi asked how many nations had committed to the Philippine ARF Disaster Relief Forum and how they had dealt with the SOFA issue. End Summary. ASEAN Summits -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Manasvi stated that the ASEAN Summit's venue and dates were set from February 27- March 1, to be held in the beach side resort city of Hua Hin. The Summit aims to highlight the new Charter and focus on human rights via the terms of reference for the new human rights body. However, there was no final plan for the "first phase," due to Malaysia still not sure how long it will attend, and no decision on ASEAN partner ambassador participation yet. Currently, there are not plans to have a Gala opening dinner, just an opening dinner and 30 minute follow-on meeting, but that could change if PM Abhisit chose the opportunity to greet counterparts with more ceremony. The ASEAN Summit will be split into two separate parts with the "second phase" of meetings with East Asian Summit countries and international bodies such as the UN to be held the second half of April, after the holiday season of Songkran. The extended delay was due to Chinese (Party Congress meetings) and Australian inability to attend in early March, Malaysian elections, G-20 meetings, and Easter thereafter. ¶4. (SBU) Manasvi explained that the ASEAN Summit venue had been changed from Bangkok to Hua Hin for three main reasons. First, Hua Hin provides close access for a Royal audience. Second, there was close proximity of an airport to the city. Third, the beach resort trappings of the city provide a relaxing atmosphere. Manasvi suggested that the conference hall and grounds at the Dusit Hua Hin seemed suitable for the Summit, but the official designation of the site has yet to be made. ARF - Disaster Relief and SOFA issue -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Manasvi stated that work on the ASEAN ARF/PMC was already moving forward, both on the ARF vision statement and plans for the ARF/PMC, starting with the SOM in May. He hoped Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would be able to attend the ASEAN ARF/PMC meetings in July. ¶6. (SBU) Thailand was pleased to accept in principle the U.S. request to co Chair the ARF intersessional on disaster relief. The MOD was keen on doing so. For budgetary reasons, Thailand indicated it would be helpful if meetings before Sept 30 were hosted by the US; 2010 meetings could take place in Thailand. ¶7. (SBU) Manasvi's colleague Suriya stated that the largest obstacle to Thailand's military participating in the ARF Disaster Relief Forum on May 4-8, 2009 in the Philippines was the lack of a SOFA with the Philippines. Thailand's military was disinclined to actively participate without a SOFA, potential criminal protection rights for Thai military participants, etc. However, Thailand was in favor of sending an observer team to the ARF Disaster Relief Forum. Thailand viewed the SOFA issue as a long-term barrier to deepening and developing this sort of cooperation within the ASEAN/ARF framework between countries without experience in cooperation between military forces and suggested developing a SOFA agreement in the future for ARF Disaster Relief exercises, BANGKOK 00000159 002 OF 002 particularly if there were interest in Thailand hosting a (less ambitious) follow-on exercise in 2010. ¶8. (SBU) Manasvi elaborated that he believed that ARF was a good instrument to help loosen the historical baggage in the region. Part of the reason there had not been previous maritime exercises between ASEAN members was the overlapping maritime claims in the region. ARF and training exercises were mechanisms which could help the parties sit down together to discuss regional issues. In the future, he foresaw ASEAN Defense Ministers +1 meetings occurring. ¶9. (SBU) Action request: Manasvi asked how many nations had committed to full operational participation in the Philippine-hosted exercise and how they had overcome SOFA concerns. Since the SOFA issue had the potential to bedevil future development of ARF cooperation via the disaster relief intersessional mechanism, post requests Dept/Embassy Manila's thoughts on this subject in reply to Manasvi's question. JOHN