US embassy cable - 05BANGKOK6551

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Identifier:	05BANGKOK6551
Wikileaks:	View 05BANGKOK6551 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Bangkok
Created:	2005-10-17 03:52:00
Classification:	CONFIDENTIAL
Tags:	PREL PARM PHSA PINS PTER TH Demarche Proliferation Security Initiative
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 006551 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS, PM/ISN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PARM, PHSA, PINS, PTER, TH, Demarche, Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) 
SUBJECT: JOINT DEMARCHE ON PSI DELIVERED IN THAILAND 
 
REF: A. STATE 171692 
     B. BANGKOK 2925 
     C. BANGKOK 1886 
     D. BANGKOK 1772 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Susan Sutton.  Reason 1.4 (a and d) 
 
 1.  (C)  On October 14, in an attempt to prod Thailand into 
endorsing the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), the 
Ambassador joined a group of Ambassadors from PSI countries 
led by Australia and including COMs from Canada, Japan, New 
Zealand, and the UK in a joint demarche on MFA Deputy 
Permanent Secretary Thakur Panit.  Thakur had previously 
suggested that Thailand is reluctant to endorse PSI until a 
"Muslim neighbor" does so first.  The Australian Ambassador 
delivered the points outlined in ref A -- and asked Thailand 
to join the large numbers of countries already supporting 
PSI. 
 
2.  (C)  In response, Thakur noted Thailand's compliance with 
UNSCR 1540 and commitment to curb proliferation.  He said 
that Thailand would certainly endorse PSI, emphasizing that 
it was just a matter of when.  He seemed particularly 
interested in whether endorsement required any formal, 
written assurance.  The Australian Ambassador suggested that 
a public statement by an appropriate official would be 
sufficient.  Ambassador Boyce reminded Thakur of their recent 
conversation with A/S Rademaker during the ARF seminar on 
missile defense (septel), suggesting that we work together to 
create a scenario where Thailand could join other countries 
to endorse PSI prior to the upcoming Asian Senior Talks on 
Proliferation (ASTOP) in Tokyo in early 2006.  Thakur's staff 
seemed intrigued by this suggestion. 
 
COMMENT:  SETTING A SCENARIO FOR THAI ENDORSEMENT 
 
3.  (C)  As PM Thaksin has told us previously, Thailand wants 
to be able to support PSI without exacerbating tensions in 
the Muslim south.  Thakur's staff seem willing to explore a 
scenario whereby Thailand could endorse PSI publicly in a 
forum away from Bangkok -- perhaps in Tokyo.  Post stands 
ready to work with PM/INL in creating such a scenario.  END 
COMMENT. 
 
 
BOYCE