INTENT TO ACCEDE TO THE TREATY OF AMITY AND

UNCLAS STATE 073798 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL TH ASEAN KTIA SUBJECT: INTENT TO ACCEDE TO THE TREATY OF AMITY AND COOPERATION ¶1. (U) The Secretary of State on July 15, 2009, signed the Diplomatic Note below informing ASEAN of the intention of the United States to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). Please deliver this message to Foreign Minister Kasit, in his capacity as Chair of the ASEAN Coordinating Council, as soon as possible. Thailand will inform other ASEAN members so they can undertake their domestic processes to consent to U.S. accession. The Secretary expects to participate in the accession ceremony on July 22, 2009, during the ASEAN ministerial meetings in Phuket, Thailand. Signed original will follow. ¶2. (U) Begin Text: Excellency: I have the honor to refer to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, done at Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, on February 24, 1976, as amended, (the Treaty), and am pleased to inform you that the Government of the United States of America has decided to accede to the Treaty in accordance with Article 18. The Government of the United States greatly appreciates the assistance it has derived from the discussions that U.S. officials have had with ASEAN counterparts regarding the Treaty. The U.S. Government, upon acceding to the Treaty, has the further honor to make the following statements. The Treaty will not apply to, or affect, U.S. relationships with states outside of Southeast Asia. The United States' accession to the Treaty does not affect the United States' rights and obligations under other bilateral or multilateral agreements, and, noting Article 10, does not limit actions taken by the United States that it considers necessary to address a threat to its national interests. The Treaty will be interpreted in conformity with the United Nations Charter, and the United States' accession does not affect the United States' rights and obligations arising from the Charter of the United Nations. I have the further honor to note that the United States' accession to the Treaty, which supports the integrity of the Treaty's purpose to promote perpetual peace, everlasting amity and cooperation among the peoples of the High Contracting Parties, will further strengthen our substantive ties with ASEAN. Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration. His Excellency Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and Chairman of the ASEAN Coordinating Council,Bangkok. End Text. ¶3. (U) The United States expects to receive the following response from Thailand on behalf of ASEAN when the members have concluded their processes: 4: (U) Begin Text: Excellency, I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your Diplomatic Note dated July 15, 2009, expressing the Government of the United States' desire and readiness to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. In this connection, I have the further honor in my capacity as Chairman of ASEAN, to inform you that, after having considered your aforesaid Diplomatic note, all the States Parties to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia have given their consent to the accession to the Treaty by the Government of the United States and have noted that the statements of the Government of the United States are expressed on a non-prejudice basis to the integrity and the object and purpose of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. I have the honor to note with satisfaction that the Government of the United States' accession to the Treaty would contribute to the promotion of peace, security, stability and cooperation in the region and in the world as well as it will further enhance substantive relations between ASEAN and the United States. Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration. Her Excellency Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State of the United States of America,Washington. End text. CLINTON