US embassy cable - 05BANGKOK5627

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 005627 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2015 
TAGS: PREL, TH 
SUBJECT: THAI MFA OFFICIAL GIVES READOUT ON FOREIGN 
MINISTER'S TRAVEL TO PYONGYANG 
 
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR SUSAN M. SUTTON.  REASON: 1.4 (D) 
 
 1.  (C) Summary:  North Korean officials told Thai Foreign 
Minister Kantathi in Pyongyang earlier this week that 
six-party talks could resume by mid-September if U.S.-ROK 
military exercises are concluded by the 10th.  DPRK officials 
also reiterated their determination to maintain a civilian 
nuclear program, highlighted the recent appointment of the 
U.S. special envoy on human rights in North Korea as 
"hostile" and dismissed ROK offers of electricity in return 
for disarmament  Thai officials explained that they are not 
interested in joining the six party talks but in playing a 
"complimentary" role and as such, pressed for a phone call 
between Kantathi and the Secretary, in order to provide a 
more extensive readout of the meetings.  End Summary. 
 
 
THAI NOT INTERESTED IN "SEVEN-PARTY" TALKS BUT SEEK SIDE ROLE 
============================================= ================= 
 
2.  (SBU)  Surapon Petch-Vra, Director General of the MFA 
Department of East Asian Affairs briefed Dep Polcouns 1 
September on Foreign Minister Kantathi's three day visit to 
Pyongyang earlier in the week.  Surapon, who was present on 
the trip, began by explaining that the RTG is not interested 
in joining the current talks as a seventh party, but is 
willing to play a "neutral" and "complimentary" role in the 
pursuit of a stable Korean peninsula.  Thai officials assess 
that a lack of "trust and confidence" between the major 
parties remains the major stumbling block to progress in the 
talks.  Thailand, as a friend of North Korea and the U.S., 
may be able to bridge this gap. 
 
3. (SBU)  With this perspective in mind, Kantathi traveled to 
Pyongyang 28 August, meeting with DPRK Foreign Minister Paek 
Nam Sun and President Kim Yong Nam.  The Thai delegation was 
treated to a tour of the DMZ and Kim Il-Sung's tomb but did 
not meet with Kim Jong-Il.  Both prior to and immediately 
after his travel, Kantathi spoke to his counterparts in 
Beijing and Seoul, to explain the Thai role and give a 
readout of his meetings. (Note, when pressed for the Chinese 
reaction to his readout Surapon relayed a series of Chinese 
platitudes on "trust and harmony.") 
 
DPRK OFFICIALS: NO TALKS DUE TO EXERCISE AND "HOSTILE" U.S. 
============================================= =============== 
 
4.  (C) According to Surapon, DPRK officials told their Thai 
guests that Pyongyang was not interested in returning to the 
six-party talks later this month, given the U.S. policy of 
hostility and the ongoing U.S.-ROK military exercise.  They 
specifically highlighted the recent appointment of the U.S. 
special envoy on human rights in North Korea as further 
evidence of U.S. hostility.  DPRK officials told the Thai 
that if the current joint military exercise is completed by 
10 September, however, Pyongyang could be interested in 
restarting the talks, according to Surapon. 
 
5.  (C) That said, North Korea could not accept the recent 
ROK offer of two million kilowatts of electricity in return 
for joining the NPT, dismantling all nuclear programs, and 
allowing IAEA inspections to resume.  DPRK leaders explained 
that North Korea must be allowed to pursue peaceful nuclear 
energy programs; moreover, re-entering the NPT was the 
'right' of sovereign countries and could not be demanded by 
another country. 
 
THAI PUSH FOR TELCON WITH SECRETARY 
=================================== 
 
6.  (C) Surapon wrapped up his readout by explaining that FM 
Kantathi was interested in briefing Secretary Rice by 
telephone on his private discussions with Kim Jong Nam during 
the final dinner.  Additionally, Kantathi will be fresh from 
his talks in Rangoon on September 1st and may be able to 
provide some insight into recent coup rumors in Burma. 
 
PM THAKSIN TO VISIT PYONGYANG ? 
=============================== 
 
7.  (SBU) When questioned about recent Thai press reports 
that PM Thaksin had accepted an invitation to visit 
Pyongyang, Surapon explained that Thaksin's acceptance 
remained contingent on a guaranteed meeting with Kim Jong Il, 
and suggested that such a trip was not set in stone yet. 
 
COMMENT 
======= 
 
8.  (C)  Surapon was keen to emphasize that Thailand is not 
trying to play anything more than an enabling role in 
bringing the parties together on the Korean peninsula nuclear 
issue. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ARVIZU