Cablegate: Dip Note Delivered On Aer
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS BANGKOK 007921
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPARTMENT PASS USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ECON TH
SUBJECT: DIP NOTE DELIVERED ON AER
REF: SECSTATE 299932
1. (U) On December 29, post delivered a diplomatic note to
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as requested in reftel. The
diplomatic note was delivered after the RTG declined to
withdraw its diplomatic note of December 29, 2004 stating its
intention to withdraw from Articles IV and X of the Treaty of
Amity and Economic Relations (AER).
2. (SBU) According to an MFA source, the Cabinet met on
December 27 to discuss the plan to withdraw the diplomatic
note; PM Thaksin was in attendance. Deputy PM Somkid
strenuously opposed continuation of the AER, citing the lack
of concrete commitments from the U.S. to make trade
concessions and feared that continuation of the AER would
damage the RTG bargaining position in the FTA. Deputy PM
Surakiart supported Somkid's position, though less vocally.
PM Thaksin did not apparently have a set position but
listened to the discussion and agreed with the majority view
led by Somkid.
3. (SBU) MFA officials were surprised and downbeat at the
decision not to withdraw the Thai diplomatic note, noting
their belief that Somkid's assertions were not valid, and
were concerned at the effect the decision would have on U.S.
investment and the upcoming FTA round in Chiang Mai in
January. Embassy expressed its disappointment at the RTG
decision, but made clear the USG was still focused on the FTA
and planned for productive negotiations in Chiang Mai. MFA
officials said they were still awaiting instructions on how
to proceed and noted that once a position was developed they
would request the RTG Embassy in Washington to present the
official position to the USG.
ARVIZU