USA Warns Thailand

[Gaybutton]

The following appears in THE NATION:

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US Urges Thailand to Lift Martial Law in 10 Days

 

"If martial law is not lifted in a week to 10 days, that would be a problem," a US embassy official in Bangkok said.

 

Bangkok - The United States on Wednesday urged Thailand's military coup leaders to lift martial law within seven to 10 days and to bring forward elections the generals have promised for late next year.

 

"A year seems like a very long time," said a US embassy official in Bangkok, speaking on condition of anonymity. The diplomat added, "if maritial law is not lifted in a week to 10 days, that would be a problem."

 

The junta that ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra on September 19 installed retired General Surayud Chulanont last weekend as interim prime minister until polls they have promised for October 2007.

 

The generals had initially pledged to make way for a civilian government, but their new constitution maintains military influence over the new premier, and restrictions on political activity and the media remain in place.

 

The White House had called Tuesday for "a quick return" to democracy in Thailand and warned its new military leaders that Washington was weighing action beyond US sanctions imposed last week.

 

Spokeswoman Dana Perino said Thailand's relations with the United States and its global image would suffer until it returns to democratic rule.

 

"We call for clear and unambiguous protection for civil liberties by the interim authorities and the military, and a quick return to democratic elections," she said as US President George W. Bush visited California.

 

"Thailand's image in the eyes of the world and US-Thai relations will suffer until Thailand returns to its place as a democratic leader in Asia," she said.

 

Perino said the United States had "noted" the appointment of Surayud as interim prime minister, as well as the promulgation of an interim constitution.

 

"We remain concerned by restrictions on civil liberties, provisions in the draft constitution that appear to give the military an ongoing and influential role in decision-making, and the lengthy timetable for democratic elections," she said.

 

"Following the implementation of Section 508 sanctions last week, we are assessing additional next steps to be taken," she warned.

 

The United States halted 24 million dollars in military aid for Thailand last week in protest at the September 19 coup by top generals who ousted civilian prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over corruption allegations.

 

The sanctions jolted years of close links between US forces and Thailand, a non-Nato ally -- the closest US designation a foreign military, that is not a member of the Western alliance, can enjoy.

 

Some aid deemed crucial to US national security was spared, notably in the field of counterterrorism, in which the kingdom has emerged as a low-key, yet valued partner in the US battle against Al-Qaeda.

[Guest Boxer]

Haven't the USA got enough to do without messing in Thailand's affairs, warning it!. If they were more in touch with what has happening here over the last two years they might do better. Maybe they should ask where has their Aid cash gone.

[Guest A Rose By Any Other Name]

Personally, I think the USA has too many hands in too many pockets. Though I don't approve of the coup, per se; it certainly isn't the USA's place to control everything and everyone. But then again, that won't be happening for too much longer...

 

TR The Rose

[Gaybutton]

Doesn't it strike you as mildly ironic that US embassy officials, the people who are supposed to be the true experts on the goings on in the country to which they are assigned, come up with the most asinine statements of all? It's as if they don't have the first clue as to what is really going on and why it is going on.

 

I have seen no reports of warnings, urgings, sanctions, or anything else coming from any foreign governments other than the USA. I am an American, but quite frankly I just don't see how the USA justifies trying to be the police of the entire world. If the US government really wants to impose it's own policies and form of government on other nations, then why don't they concentrate on nations that really need policing? Better still, why don't they hire embassy officials that at least know what they're talking about?

[Guest hajuthai]

Amasing to see USA talk about democracy. Did Thailand have democracy under Thaksin?

And what about Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Uzbekistan and so on. Have the USA been warning them and stop help?

[Guest wowpow]

There has been a rush by various country leaders to condemn the Coup d'Etat in Thailand. The first was Ms Clarke of New Zealand followed shortly by the Premier of Finland.

 

The automatic reaction is Coups bad Democracy GOOD. Thailand seems to have proved it wrong in it's case.

 

Thailand and the US have been close friends and allies for many years. I just wonder why there is such a rush to talk about Thailand's political problems and express serious disapproval, cancelling aid and threats of worse to come. The new Prime Minister had hardly warmed his chair before the US Ambassador was there telling him what the US expected.

 

It seems to me to be very unlikely to have any effect whatsoever only to alienate the current government.

 

How much better to have been 'diplomatic' and said something like The American and the Thai people have been good friends, allies and trading partners for a very long time. We are concerned about Thailand's current political crisis and are happy to help in any way to speed the declared aim of the regime for an early return to elections, democracy and harmony amongst the peace loving Thai people.

 

I seem to remember Thai soldiers in Iraq or was it Afghanistan? are they still there?

 

 

 

[Gaybutton]

One of my chief gripes is that Americans pay high tax rates, even under retirement, and look what we've got to show for our money.

[Guest wowpow]

So GB you don't think much of democracy? Nor do the Chinese but they are diplomatic at times.

 

China congratulates Surayud

China Wednesday sent a congratulatory note over the appointment of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont .

 

Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jiuhuan conveyed the note to Permanent Secretary General for foreign affairs Grit Ganchanagunchorn.

 

The note signed by China's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to Surayud said that the Chinese government would like to express congratulation to the appointment of Gen Surayud to the post.

 

The Nation

 

[Gaybutton]

So GB you don't think much of democracy?

 

Did I say that?

[Guest wowpow]

Military has no plans to lift martial law POST REPORTERS

 

The armed forces has no plans to lift martial law for the time being, saying it is still necessary to safeguard the country during the transitional period, army chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin said yesterday. Gen Sonthi, who leads the Council for National Security (CNS), said martial law, which has come under sharp criticism from the US and other countries, remained important to ensure stability in the country, especially now there is a new government.

 

He was responding in particular to a call by the US, which urged the lifting of martial law within 10 days.

 

It was enforced after the military coup against the Thaksin government.

 

The CNS announced Surayud Chulanont as prime minister on Sunday, hours after the interim constitution was enforced prior to a new charter being written and implemented in about a year.

 

But the White House on Tuesday called on Thailand to quickly return to democracy and expressed concern about restrictions on civil liberties, as the charter still gives the CNS power to control the government given the lengthy timetable before a new general election is called.

 

Washington warned it was considering more punitive measures in addition to the $24 million (902.8 million baht) cut in military aid after the coup