THAILAND LIKELY TO ABSTAIN OR SUPPORT U.N.

UNCLAS BANGKOK 002808 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR IO/HR - PAUL KRUCHOWSKI, FOR IO/UNP - ANDREW MORRISON; FOR NEA/IPA - JEFFREY GIAUQUE, USUN FOR ELLEN GERMAIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER IS KPAL TH SUBJECT: THAILAND LIKELY TO ABSTAIN OR SUPPORT U.N. GOLDSTONE REPORT RESOLUTION REF: STATE 112828 ¶1. (SBU) Poloff conveyed reftel Goldstone report points to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of International Organizations official Chonvipat Changtrakul November 4, urging Thailand to oppose a U.N. General Assembly resolution or other efforts to pressure the Security Council on the matter. Chonvipat replied that the RTG would review resolution language closely in order to develop a balanced and fair position. That said, Chonvipat commented that, while Thailand understood the precedent that a resolution could set if passed, the RTG was likely to abstain or vote in favor of a resolution. By voting in this manner, Thailand's position would likely mirror that of Non-Aligned Movement nations. We urged abstention. JOHN