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INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
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RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 1456
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 BANGKOK 003396 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/RSP 
PACOM FOR FPA HUSO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MASS TH
SUBJECT: ASEAN-U.S. DIALOGUE HELD IN BANGKOK MAY 23 
 
 
 ¶1.  (SBU)  SUMMARY.  During the May 23 ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue, 
ASEAN members and the United States expressed confidence that 
a joint Plan of Action to implement the ASEAN-U.S. Enhanced 
Partnership would be ready for the Secretary and Foreign 
Ministers to approve during the ASEAN Ministers meeting in 
Kuala Lumpur on July 27.  Several ASEAN members suggested we 
jointly identify development projects to implement shortly 
after the Plan of Action is approved to signify the 
importance of the enhanced relationship.  A/S Hill told ASEAN 
members that, while the United States welcomes growing 
integration within Asia, we need to work to ensure that 
regional institutions such as APEC, ARF, EAS, ASEAN and 
others work in concert rather than in competition with each 
other.  A/S Hill briefed the delegates on the status of the 
Six Party Talks and recent developments in the Middle East. 
ASEAN representatives outlined recent steps the organization 
has taken to combat regional terrorism and transnational 
crime.  On global issues, representatives agreed on the need 
to build on recent collaborative efforts to mitigate 
disasters, combat infectious disease and promote sustainable 
development.  Thai PermSec Krit raised the candidacy of Thai 
Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart for UN Secretary General, 
urging U.S. support.  END SUMMARY. 
 
OPENING REMARKS 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  On May 23, EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher R. 
Hill and Thai MFA Permanent Secretary Krit Garnjana-Goonchorn 
co-chaired in Bangkok the 19th ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue. 
Ambassador Boyce and EAP Deputy Assistant Secretary Eric John 
also attended the Dialogue.  Para 20 provides a delegation 
list.  In his opening remarks, which were covered by the 
press, Krit spoke of the importance of America's role in SE 
Asia and the need for the U.S.-ASEAN partnership to adapt to 
meet new challenges ranging from terrorism to avian 
influenza.  A/S Hill assured the ASEAN representatives that 
the United States is committed to enhancing its relationship 
with ASEAN in all aspects.  Hill underscored the importance 
of ASEAN pressing the Burmese regime to implement genuine 
political reform.  The Assistant Secretary also emphasized 
the importance of regional fora working in concert and not 
duplicating efforts. 
 
ASEAN-U.S. PLAN OF ACTION 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  During plenary discussion of the joint Plan of 
Action to implement the ASEAN-U.S. Enhanced Partnership, 
PermSec Krit noted the common goal of concluding a Plan of 
Action that could be approved by the Secretary during the 
ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) in Kuala Lumpur on 
July 27.  Krit suggested that the Plan of Action could serve 
as a road map for governments to address key political, 
security, economic and transnational issues.  Krit also said 
that ASEAN welcomed the U.S. proposal to appoint an 
Ambassador to ASEAN and expressed hope that the United States 
would endorse the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.  EAP 
DAS Eric John expressed confidence that, although a draft 
Plan of Action was not quite ready yet, a final document 
would be prepared in time for the PMC.  Representatives from 
Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia expressed their common hope 
that all parties could identify several easy-to-implement 
projects to demonstrate concrete benefits of the Plan of 
Action as a way to capitalize on momentum after the PMC. 
 
DEVELOPMENTS IN ASEAN 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  The representative from Laos gave a general 
overview of the three pillars of the developing ASEAN 
community -- security, economic and socio-cultural.  He noted 
the importance of the recent ASEAN Defense Ministers' 
meeting, the shared goal of creating an ASEAN Common Market 
and how ASEAN supports other fora such as the ARF, EAS and 
ASEAN plus 3. 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  A/S Hill told the delegates that the United States 
looks forward to the development of the ASEAN Charter which 
will help build the ASEAN Community by 2020.  Hill assured 
 
BANGKOK 00003396  002 OF 005 
 
 
the group that the United States wants to be a part of 
ASEAN's growing integration and wishes to collaborate with 
ASEAN to identify key areas of common interest, such as 
counter terrorism, maritime security and non-proliferation. 
The delegate from Malaysia said that his country hopes the 
United States will also pay equal attention to development 
issues, including working with ASEAN to identify projects 
ready for ASEAN-U.S. co-funding.  The Malaysian and Cambodian 
representatives suggested that the member states plan 
appropriate activities to commemorate the 30th anniversary of 
U.S.-ASEAN relations.  In response to the Indonesian 
delegate's suggestion that the U.S. study a recent Australian 
project to help fund university education for Indonesian 
youth, A/S Hill noted ongoing U.S. efforts aimed at assisting 
Indonesian primary, secondary and university students.  Hill 
went on to brief the group on recent meetings his staff had 
had with Brunei aimed at identifying collaborative 
development projects. 
 
EAST ASIA SUMMIT 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  The Malaysian representative outlined the results 
of the first EAS meeting which took place in Kuala Lumpur on 
December 14, 2005.  At that meeting, it was agreed that ASEAN 
would remain the lead group shaping the direction of the EAS. 
 Ambassador Hill stressed the need to insure that all 
multilateral institutions in Asia work in concert and avoid 
redundancy.  While emphasizing that the United States 
welcomes enhanced relations among Asian states, Hill asked 
ASEAN to work carefully to make sure that security 
discussions within the EAS did not undermine the utility of 
the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and that EAS economic talks 
meshed with APEC goals.  The Singaporean delegate suggested 
that overlapping organizations fit the Asian psyche better 
than rigid structures with legalistic formats.  The 
representative from the Philippines offered her opinion that 
the EAS might be better suited as a forum in which national 
leaders could discuss broader issues while ARF, being a 
Minister-level forum, might be better suited for discussing 
details. 
 
NORTH KOREA 
 
¶7. (SBU)  A/S Hill briefed the ASEAN delegates on the status 
of the Six Party Talks, including North Korea's refusal to 
return to the Talks and begin negotiations to implement the 
September 19 joint agreement following U.S. actions against 
DPRK illicit activities in Macao.  Hill underscored that the 
United States does not see these two issues as related and 
will not "pay" North Korea to return to the negotiating 
table.  Hill outlined the array of possible incentives 
offered under the September agreement far outweighs the North 
Korean funds frozen in Macao, calling into question whether 
the North Koreans actually are committed to dismantling their 
nuclear programs.  PermSec Krit offered Thai support for the 
Six Party Talks and suggested that ASEAN should focus on 
meeting North Korean humanitarian needs through the ARF. 
Representatives from Indonesia, Malaysia and Cambodia asked 
Hill how individual ASEAN countries and/or the group as a 
whole could support the process of ensuring peace on the 
Korean peninsula.  Hill responded that the Six Party Talks 
remain the key to successfully resolving the issues at hand. 
ASEAN states are welcome to engage with Pyongyang 
bilaterally, but in every meeting should emphasize that the 
Six Party Talks are the only mechanism for resolution of the 
nuclear issue. 
 
IRAQ, MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS, IRAN AND LIBYA 
 
¶8. (SBU) A/S Hill began the discussion on the Middle East 
with an outline of developments in Iraq, including the 
formation of the new government and the U.S. request for 
other nations to publicly offer support to the new regime. 
Turning to the Middle East peace process, Hill explained that 
the U.S. is pressuring Hamas to meet the quartet principles, 
while reprogramming funds to meet Palestinian humanitarian 
needs.  The United States wants to maintain international 
 
BANGKOK 00003396  003 OF 005 
 
 
unity in pressing Hamas to change its policy calling for the 
destruction of Israel and hold Hamas to Palestinian 
commitments in the peace process.  Iran is a very serious 
problem, as evinced by Tehran's disregard for international 
concern over its nuclear program, support for terrorism and 
serious human rights problems.  Iran's recent decision to 
enrich uranium illustrates Tehran's unwillingness to listen 
to the international community, including the UN.  The United 
States remains committed to a diplomatic solution and 
recognizes the right of the Iranian people to develop nuclear 
technology for energy producing purposes, but cannot accept 
an Iranian nuclear weapon program, Hill said.  Hill noted the 
recent decision to establish diplomatic relations with Libya 
after Tripoli eliminated its WMD programs. 
 
¶9. (SBU) The Malaysian delegate welcomed the improvement in 
U.S.-Libyan relations but noted that the Palestinian people 
have spoken in a democratic election and the new Hamas 
government should be supported.  In addition, Malaysia 
welcomes U.S. support for a peaceful Iranian nuclear energy 
program, adding that Iran is likely to be a hot topic at the 
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) meeting late this month in Kuala 
Lumpur.  The Indonesian representative asked when U.S. and 
coalition forces will leave Iraq.  A/S Hill explained that 
the coalition forces cannot set a timetable for withdrawal, 
but are doing all they can to train and equip Iraqi forces to 
meet the security challenges in that country. 
 
COUNTERTERRORISM 
 
¶10. (SBU) DAS John reviewed the successes that growing 
counterterrorism cooperation in the region have engendered, 
including the arrest of the Bali bombers in Indonesia. 
Worldwide, collective efforts have harmed al-Qaida and 
prevented its leaders from maintaining effective global 
command and control of its networks.  DAS John explained that 
our strategy is structured to combat terrorism at multiple 
levels and emphasized the important role ASEAN countries play 
in combating terrorism.  The Philippine representative 
outlined the series of ASEAN actions taken to support 
improved regional counterterrorism cooperation, such as the 
Senior Officials Meetings on Transnational Crime, and 
increasingly frequent military, police and intelligence 
meetings to discuss the issue.  Manila welcomes UNSYG Koffi 
Annan's call to develop a global strategy on 
counterterrorism.  Counterterrorism efforts should focus less 
on military, "hard" power and more on the "soft" power that 
wins hearts and minds.  The Philippine delegate also called 
on the United States "to do more" such as fostering the type 
of ASEAN-U.S. economic integration that will help combat the 
root causes of poverty and hopelessness. 
 
TRANSNATIONAL CRIME 
 
¶12. (SBU) DAS John turned to the wide range of transnational 
crime issues, outlining regional progress and opportunities 
for further action on counternarcotics, counterproliferation, 
human trafficking, maritime security, cybercrime and 
anticorruption.  The representative from Burma responded with 
a comprehensive review of ASEAN statements and meetings on 
these issues over the past several years, and specifically 
thanked the United States for technical support on these 
issues. 
 
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 
 
¶13. (SBU) Before breaking for lunch, the Indonesian 
representative addressed the issue of disaster preparedness, 
highlighting current concerns over the potential eruption of 
Mt. Merapi in East Java and the need to follow through on 
regional disaster relief planning and tsunami early warning 
systems integration before another tragedy strikes.  Jakarta 
is particularly interested in U.S. assistance to integrate 
the national warning systems into a region-wide system. 
USAID Regional Development Mission (RDM) Director Tim Beans 
highlighted U.S. assistance following the December 2004 
tsunami which included over 400 million dollars in 
 
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BANGKOK 00003396  004 OF 005 
 
 
nonmilitary aid to Indonesia and the August 2005 launch of 
the U.S.-Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System (IOTWS).  The 
Thai delegation expressed appreciation of U.S. post-tsunami 
disaster relief and work on early warning systems. 
 
ECONOMIC AND TRADE ISSUES 
 
¶14.  (SBU)  At the working breakfast before the Dialogue, 
U.S. ASEAN Business Council (USABC) Director Matt Daley said 
that his organization is looking to A/S Hill and the USG for 
ideas on how to move ASEAN forward on a range of economic and 
trade issues.  Hill said that ASEAN member Vietnam's hosting 
of this year's APEC Leaders' Meeting and President Bush's 
attendance will put ASEAN on the map for the U.S. public and 
government.  Daley suggested that appointing a U.S. 
Ambassador to ASEAN would be an inexpensive, symbolically 
important gesture underlining the U.S. commitment to ASEAN. 
 
15  (SBU)  During a lunch for Dialogue representatives hosted 
by the USABC, the Singapore representative noted the trend of 
falling foreign direct investment (FDI) in the ASEAN region 
owing to the appeal of India and China.  A way to counteract 
this in the long term, he said, is for ASEAN to form itself 
into a single market.  In the short term, Ho said that ideas 
from the business community were needed on ways to make ASEAN 
a more desirable destination for FDI.  Daley endorsed this 
idea, adding his view that a U.S.-ASEAN FTA is a desirable 
long term goal.  Lunch participants highlighted several 
possible areas where ASEAN could improve the business 
climate.  These include energy security; energy efficiency; 
resolution of boundary disputes; and harmonization of 
standards.  Several participants reported firms' difficulties 
in obtaining U.S. business visas in a timely manner. 
 
16  (SBU)  In the after-lunch discussion attended by USABC 
members together with U.S. and ASEAN government 
representatives, views were exchanged on the proposed 
U.S.-ASEAN Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), 
the U.S. Container Security Initiative (CSI), intellectual 
property issues, market access for agricultural products, 
foreign direct investment, and Vietnam's continued progress 
toward accession to the WTO.  The group also discussed APEC 
and the upcoming APEC Leaders' Meetings in Vietnam as well as 
the WTO Doha Round negotiations.  U.S. representatives 
stressed that time was running out for a deal, and appealed 
to ASEAN representatives to redouble their efforts to move 
the process forward across the entire Doha agenda.  The U.S. 
stated its strong opposition to a scaled back "Doha Lite" 
solution. 
 
INFECTIOUS DISEASE - AVIAN FLU 
 
¶17.  (SBU)  The Cambodian delegate reviewed recent regional 
progress on addressing Avian Influenza (AI), highlighting the 
success of Vietnamese and Thai programs.  He thanked the U.S. 
for our pledge of 334 million dollars at the Beijing Donors' 
Conference and welcomed U.S. work with ASEAN on AI as part of 
our Enhanced Partnership.  He emphasized the importance of 
cooperation between ASEAN and the World Health Organization 
(WHO) and the U.S., noting the devastating impact a pandemic 
would have on the regions' economies.  ASEAN members 
requested that the U.S. continue to work with ASEAN to expand 
capacity to deal with a pandemic and to provide additional 
resources. The Malaysian delegate specifically called for 
greater access to stockpiles of drugs and said the U.S. 
should help ASEAN nations produce their own drugs.  USAID RDM 
Director Beans highlighted U.S. assistance to combat AI, 
noting that in FY06 the U.S. had proved more than 70 million 
in assistance to Southeast Asia.  Beans invited ASEAN 
countries to send representatives to the next International 
Partnership on Avian And Pandemic Influenza Senior Official 
meeting to be held June 6-7 in Vienna. 
 
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 
 
¶18.  (SBU)  USAID RDM Director Beans outlined the wide range 
of U.S.-supported initiatives which protect biodiversity and 
 
BANGKOK 00003396  005 OF 005 
 
 
promote sustainable development in the ASEAN region -- 
including the President's Initiative Against Illegal Logging. 
 The ASEAN secretariat representative thanked the U.S. for 
cooperation on environmental issues, in particular on CITES. 
He highlighted the Council of State Governments program, 
which is providing unique collaborative environmental 
assistance to select ASEAN cities.  ASEAN members urged 
expanded cooperation with the U.S., including technology 
transfers to support environmental projects, and that the 
U.S. share its experiences with water resource management. 
RDM Director Beans said USAID was ready to expand assistance 
in the water sector, and outlined several programs. 
 
THAI CANDIDATE FOR UNSYG 
 
¶19.  (SBU)  At the end of the meeting, Thai Permsec Krit 
raised the candidacy of Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart 
Santhianthai for UN Secretary General and urged U.S. support. 
 Krit emphasized that Surakiart remained the ASEAN candidate 
and that ASEAN members believe that it was "Asia's turn" to 
be UNSYG.  A/S Hill indicated that it was U.S. policy not to 
discuss the U.S. selection. 
 
¶20.  (U) PARTICIPANTS 
 
U.S. DELEGATION 
 
EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill 
Ambassador Ralph Boyce 
EAP Deputy Assistant Secretary Eric John 
Chris Marut, EAP/RSP Director 
Jack Andre, EAP/RSP Officer 
Kamala Lakhdhir, EAP Special Assistant 
 
ASEAN DELEGATION HEADS 
 
Brunei: Pengiran Dato Paduka Osman Patra, Permanent Secretary 
Burma: U Nyan Lynn, Director-General, Political Department 
Cambodia: Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary of State, MFA 
Indonesia: Imron Cotan, Secretary General 
Laos: Songkane Luangmuninthone, Deputy DG, ASEAN Department 
Malaysia: Datuk Rastam Mohd Isa, Secretary General 
Philippines: Erlinda F. Basilio, Undersecretary for Policy 
Singapore: Peter Ho, Permanent Secretary 
Thailand: Krit Garnjana-Goonchorn, Permanent Secretary 
Vietnam: Nguyen Trung Thanh, Assistant Secretary for EAP 
Affairs 
ASEAN Secretariat: Dhannan Sunoto, Principal Director, Bureau 
for External Relations and Coordination 
 
¶21.  (U)  This cable was cleared by Washington on June 5, 
¶2006. 
BOYCE