Cablegate: Thailand Embassy/State Department Human Rights

VZCZCXYZ0002
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBK #3288 3090559
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 040559Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4910
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUWGTCH/JIATF WEST IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI//JC/J3/J4/J5// IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNS/COMSOCPAC HONOLULU HI//SOJ3// IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS BANGKOK 003288

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS, L/EAP, L/PM, PM/ISO, INR AND DRL
PACOM FOR FPA CHRISTY, JIATF/WEST FOR COMMANDER BUSCH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS
VETTING FOR: JUSMAG - ROYAL THAI ARMY OFFICERS TO VISIT FORT BRAGG,
NORTH CAROLINA AND MAC DILL AIR FORCE BASE, TAMPA, FLORIDA, DECEMBER
07-13, 2008

REF: A. JUSMAG/THAI MEMOS DATED NOVEMBER 04, 2008
B. 05 STATE 021314 - GUIDANCE
C. 03 STATE 34981 - GUIDANCE

1. (U) This is an action request for human rights
verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2.

2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State
Department complete human rights vetting request for the officers
listed below, who have been selected to visit with the United States
Army Special Operations Command and Special Operations Command.
Embassy Bangkok possesses no credible information at this time of
gross violations of human rights by these persons. Embassy Bangkok
Political Officer, Melissa G. Carlson, is the verifying officer for
the Embassy/Department of State.

JUSMAG - Royal Thai Army Officers to visit U.S. Army Special
Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Special
Operations Command, Mac Dill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida,
December 07-13, 2008.

PARTICIPANTS:

Name: Puchong Rattanawan
DPOB: May 02, 1950; Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
Title/Rank: Lieutenant General, Commanding General
Unit: Special Warfare Command, Royal Thai Army.

Name: Soopawoot Utama
DPOB: July 07, 1053; Nong Khai, Thailand
Title/Rank: Major General, Commander
Unit: 1st Special Forces Division, Royal Thai Army.

Name: Powpon Ponglowkam
DPOB: April 22, 1953; Suphan Buri, Thailand
Title/Rank: Major General, Commander
Unit: Special Warfare Center and School, Royal Thai Army.

Name: Sadet Arkajag
DPOB: August 14, 1969; Korat, Thailand
Title/Rank: Lieutenant Colonel, Commander
Unit: 1st Battalion 3rd Special Forces Regiment, Royal Thai Army.

JUSGMAS THAI is requesting HRV results NLT November 28, 2008 to
support December 07-13 visit dates and meet Department of State,
Joint Staff, SOCOM, SOCPAC and 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
administrative requirements.

JOHN

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