- May 4, 2021
- 3,295
| To: <Muhammad Qasim> Drivindeath CC: <Islamic Liberation Army in the Levant> From: <Sarabun@mfa.mail.go.th> Subject: Regarding the Potential Normalization of Thailand-Syria Relations Security Type: NSST 1.0 Architecture | Secret and Encrypted |
Dear Muhammad Qasim,
Permit me to convey a message in a manner that, while perhaps diverging slightly from formal diplomatic convention, reflects a spirit of directness and candor that I believe befits the gravity of this moment. As the Rotating Coordinator for Foreign Affairs within our Confederation—a role often characterized by collective representation and is called simply Foreign Minister—I find myself compelled to address you with a more personal voice, a nuance I trust you will understand as stemming from a genuine desire for clarity and mutual understanding.
You are, of course, aware of the recent communication originating from our Prime Minister, the Thaksin Shinawatra. While the tenor of his message could have effortlessly been perceived with a certain forcefulness, I encourage you to understand it not merely as a personal declaration, but as an articulation of a deeply felt sentiment, democratically mandated by the collective will of our citizenry. Leading a nation structured upon the foundations of 75,086 self-governing communes, united in a voluntary confederation, is a task of considerable magnitude. The weight of this responsibility, coupled with the profound sense of injustice felt by our populace, particularly after the tragic loss of innocent lives, inevitably shapes the discourse of our leadership.
However, I hasten to assure you that within our radically democratic framework, policy is not monolithic or immutable. Decisions are subject to continuous deliberation, refinement, and, indeed, evolution. While a definitive national consensus on Thailand's precise approach to Syria remains a matter of ongoing discussion, a significant and growing sentiment prevails – one that seeks a path toward constructive engagement and enduring amity.
It is in this spirit that I undertake this mission, an initiative born from my conviction and endorsed by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. My purpose is to explore the prospects for a mutually beneficial and lasting relationship between our nations, transcending the complexities of our prior interactions. We acknowledge the keen interest of our esteemed ally, France, in the unfolding developments within Syria. While the specifics of their strategic considerations remain outside my immediate purview, Thailand holds in the highest regard the judgment and intentions of our French counterparts, and we approach the situation with a spirit of close coordination and mutual trust.
Indeed, it is upon a specific point of principle that a pathway toward a significantly strengthened bilateral relationship might be forged – a point I believe resonates deeply with the imperatives of international law, national sovereignty, and the very essence of equitable global relations. I refer, of course, to the matter of Egypt and its longstanding policies that have, regrettably, impacted the sovereignty of nations across the region, including, it must be noted, your own. Thailand, too, has been subjected to actions that we consider to be in contravention of established international norms, dating back to the deeply regrettable incident involving an Egyptian diplomat on Thai soil in the early years of this century. Despite overwhelming evidence of malicious intent directed towards our Prime Minister, and despite our nation’s commitment to due process and the provision of exceptional treatment to the involved delegation, Egypt has persisted in a narrative that unjustly portrays Thailand as the aggressor, compounding this injustice through the continued imposition of maritime policies that disregard international law and infringe upon the sovereign rights of nations, including Syria.
Therefore, my earnest request is this: should you find yourself in accord with the fundamental tenets of international law, the inviolable right of national self-determination, and the imperative of cooperative international relations grounded in mutual respect rather than antagonism or militaristic coercion, a profound opportunity for partnership awaits. Should you affirm these principles, and communicate your commitment to a future Syrian state founded upon these precepts, I am confident that a robust and positive normalization of bilateral relations with Thailand will swiftly follow, unlocking the potential for our nation to extend its considerable resources in humanitarian aid and developmental assistance to the people of Syria, a commitment Thailand has consistently upheld on the global stage since 1998.
You are, of course, aware of the recent communication originating from our Prime Minister, the Thaksin Shinawatra. While the tenor of his message could have effortlessly been perceived with a certain forcefulness, I encourage you to understand it not merely as a personal declaration, but as an articulation of a deeply felt sentiment, democratically mandated by the collective will of our citizenry. Leading a nation structured upon the foundations of 75,086 self-governing communes, united in a voluntary confederation, is a task of considerable magnitude. The weight of this responsibility, coupled with the profound sense of injustice felt by our populace, particularly after the tragic loss of innocent lives, inevitably shapes the discourse of our leadership.
However, I hasten to assure you that within our radically democratic framework, policy is not monolithic or immutable. Decisions are subject to continuous deliberation, refinement, and, indeed, evolution. While a definitive national consensus on Thailand's precise approach to Syria remains a matter of ongoing discussion, a significant and growing sentiment prevails – one that seeks a path toward constructive engagement and enduring amity.
It is in this spirit that I undertake this mission, an initiative born from my conviction and endorsed by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. My purpose is to explore the prospects for a mutually beneficial and lasting relationship between our nations, transcending the complexities of our prior interactions. We acknowledge the keen interest of our esteemed ally, France, in the unfolding developments within Syria. While the specifics of their strategic considerations remain outside my immediate purview, Thailand holds in the highest regard the judgment and intentions of our French counterparts, and we approach the situation with a spirit of close coordination and mutual trust.
Indeed, it is upon a specific point of principle that a pathway toward a significantly strengthened bilateral relationship might be forged – a point I believe resonates deeply with the imperatives of international law, national sovereignty, and the very essence of equitable global relations. I refer, of course, to the matter of Egypt and its longstanding policies that have, regrettably, impacted the sovereignty of nations across the region, including, it must be noted, your own. Thailand, too, has been subjected to actions that we consider to be in contravention of established international norms, dating back to the deeply regrettable incident involving an Egyptian diplomat on Thai soil in the early years of this century. Despite overwhelming evidence of malicious intent directed towards our Prime Minister, and despite our nation’s commitment to due process and the provision of exceptional treatment to the involved delegation, Egypt has persisted in a narrative that unjustly portrays Thailand as the aggressor, compounding this injustice through the continued imposition of maritime policies that disregard international law and infringe upon the sovereign rights of nations, including Syria.
Therefore, my earnest request is this: should you find yourself in accord with the fundamental tenets of international law, the inviolable right of national self-determination, and the imperative of cooperative international relations grounded in mutual respect rather than antagonism or militaristic coercion, a profound opportunity for partnership awaits. Should you affirm these principles, and communicate your commitment to a future Syrian state founded upon these precepts, I am confident that a robust and positive normalization of bilateral relations with Thailand will swiftly follow, unlocking the potential for our nation to extend its considerable resources in humanitarian aid and developmental assistance to the people of Syria, a commitment Thailand has consistently upheld on the global stage since 1998.
Yours in Diplomacy,
Surakiart Sathirathai
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Socialist Republic of Thailand
Digital Diplomatic Communication
