VZCZCXRO6663
PP RUEHCHI
DE RUEHBK #1254 1150910
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 240910Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2772
INFO RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI PRIORITY 5118
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS BANGKOK 001254
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DRL FOR CHRISTOPHER CAMPONOVO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PHUM PREL TH
SUBJECT: RTG WELCOMED APDP PROPOSAL
REF: STATE 39596
1. (SBU) During an April 18 visit to Bangkok, Ambassador
Rees, IO Special Representative for Social Issues, met with
MFA Deputy Director General for International Organizations
Ittiporn Boonpracong to deliver reftel points on the Asia
Pacific Democracy Partnership (APDP). Ambassador Rees
explained the background of the APDP initiative and noted the
important role the RTG could play in such a regional
organization based on Thailand's own experiences with
democratic institution building. Referring to the APDP
concept paper post sent to Ittiporn's attention on April 17,
Ambassador Rees expressed the USG's interest in Thailand's
participation as a founding member of this initiative.
2. (SBU) Ittiporn replied that the RTG welcomed the
opportunity to consider participation in the APDP. He
declared that such an organization had the potential to
contribute greatly to the strengthening of democracy in the
region and informed Ambassador Rees that the Thais would
seriously study the proposal. In response to Ittiporn's
inquiry as to how the USG envisioned the APDP to be
organized, Rees explained that administrative details would
have to be determined by the partner governments and added
that it would also be an opportunity to collaborate with
civil society in the member countries. Ittiporn expressed
concern that the APDP focus on strengthening democracy among
partner governments, rather than forcing it on neighboring
countries (read: Burma).
3. (SBU) Post will follow up with Ittiporn's office and
report any further response.
4. (U) Ambassador Rees did not have the opportunity to clear
this cable.
JOHN