US embassy cable - 05BANGKOK3590

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 003590 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, EAP/BCLTV, AND EAP/K. HQ USPACOM FOR 
FPA HUSO 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2015 
TAGS: PREL, KN, KS, TH, North Korea (DPRK), Demarche 
SUBJECT: THAILAND:  DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON SUSPENSION OF 
REMAINS RECOVERY PROGRAM IN NORTH KOREA 
 
REF: STATE 97063 
 
Classified By: DCM Alexander A. Arvizu.  Reason:  1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
 1. (C) On May 27, PolCouns conveyed reftel para 8 talking 
points to Chakarin Chayabongse, Deputy Director General, East 
Asian Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). 
Chakarin expressed appreciation for the official notification 
of suspension of the U.S. remains recovery program in North 
Korea, and said he would review the points and convey them to 
his superiors, including Foreign Minister Kantathi 
Supahamongkhon.  He said that he was aware of the suspension 
from Washington briefings and agreed to a follow up meeting 
on May 31. 
 
2.  (C) On May 31, Poloffs met at MFA with DDG Chakarin, 
Korean Affairs Director Sompong Tangsopa and other MFA 
officials from the East Asia and Americas Departments. 
During an extended discussion on North Korea (septel), 
Chakarin noted that Thailand is interested in contributing to 
stability in the region and intended to respond to North 
Korean overtures for closer ties in 2005, the 30th 
anniversary year of Thai-North Korean relations.  He reported 
that the North Koreans had successfully pursued a bilateral 
meeting on the margins of the April 22-23 Asia-Africa Summit 
in Indonesia between Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and 
Kim Yong Nam, President of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly 
Presidium.  FM Kantathi is scheduled to visit North Korea 
July 8-12. 
BOYCE