US warns Thailand on rights

[wowpow]

The Nation

STOCKTON, California - The White House called Tuesday for" a quick return" to democracy in Thailand and warned Thai military leaders that Washington was weighing action beyond US sanctions imposed last week.

Spokeswoman Dana Perino also said in a statement that Thailand's relations with the United States and 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 while Bush raised money for his Republican party ahead of November elections.

Perino said the United States had "noted" the appointment of retired General Surayud Chulanont 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.

Agence France-Presse

I wonder if these threats and withdrawals of financial aid are really helpful or likely to be heeded. Diplomatic diplomacy seems to be a thing of the past. It would be much better to say something like "We are concerned about our long time friend and ally, Thailand, going through troubled political times. Is there any way in which we can help you to achieve your stated aim of a swift return to elections and democratic rule?"

and give up it's biggest embassy in Asia..that'd be the day :compress:

The message from Washington is a good message.
There SHOULD be international pressure to bring democracy and civil liberties to Thailand!
Do not assume there will really be elections anytime soon UNTIL there are elections. Military rule in Thailand could just as soon last a decade as a year,,especially if you consider the taboo subject of royal transition.
And yes, I still think the coup was necessary, but now Thailand is in a danger zone.
The namby pamby language suggested by TeePee is absurd.

I don't think the US is in a position to chastise others for a government rule by the military. That statement from Bush is an oxymoron.

I don't think the US is in a position to chastise others for a government rule by the military. That statement from Bush is an oxymoron.
True, the bush regime has no moral authority.
It is still a good message though.
Another example of the huge cost of the bush mistake.

We need to just butt out of thailands business and let them return to their buddist roots. People in stone houses should not throw stones. We( the USA) is in major need of a house cleaning.

Are you suggesting we need a religious, rather than a secular state? I certainly hope not.

Are you suggesting we need a religious, rather than a secular state? I certainly hope not.

Hmm.

[wowpow]

Washington anxious about martial law while Beijing welcomes Gen Surayud

The world's two superpowers took different positions on the appointment of Surayud Chulanont as Thailand's prime minister, with the United States stressing its concerns about the curbing of civil liberties and the lengthy timetable for an election, while China welcomed the announcement with "warm congratulations and best wishes".

A stern statement from the White House said: "The US remains 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.

"We call for clear and unambiguous pro-

tection for civil liberties by the interim authorities and the military, and a quick return to democratic elections. 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."

An official at the US Embassy in Bangkok said the White House statement was "by no means an ultimatum".

"It would be a positive step if martial law is lifted. We are not suggesting any timeframe," the official said.

Head of the ruling junta, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, said martial law would remain in force for the time being, at least during the transitional period. He did not elaborate on how long the transitional period would be.

In a letter handed to the Foreign Ministry yesterday, Chinese premier Wen Jiabao said the "traditional friendship between China and Thailand dates back to ancient times" and the two people "are like each other's relatives with friendly feelings.

"We are good neighbours, friends and partners," Wen said. "I am willing to work together closely with Your Excellency for the constant progress of Sino-Thai relations."

Speaking to reporters yesterday, National Security Council secretary-general Winai Pattiya-kul said the ruling military council could not lift martial law by itself.

"It has to be initiated by Parliament and endorsed by His Majesty the King," Winai said.

Joining the welcoming chorus were Cambodia, Laos, Singapore and Vietnam, all of whom congratulated Surayud on his appointment as interim prime minister by the junta who ousted Thaksin Shinawatra.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien-Loong said he looked forward to working with Surayud.
"You shoulder a heavy burden to ensure the drafting of the
constitution and to work towards early elections. I am glad that you have the endorsement of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and am confident that you will also have the support of the Thai people in exercising your responsibilities," Lee said.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed hope that "our friendly relations and good cooperation will continue to sustain for the benefit of our two kingdoms".

Laos' premier Bouasone Bouphavanh said his country looked forward to working with Surayud and strengthening relations with Thailand.

Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said he believed "the situation in Thailand will soon return to normal so that the people of Thailand can concentrate on building a prosperous country and a happy life".

The Nation

It would be much better to say something like "We are concerned about our long time friend and ally, Thailand, going through troubled political times. Is there any way in which we can help you to achieve your stated aim of a swift return to elections and democratic rule?" + once we are helping you we can further our dreams of taking over the world, we can also show you how to torture your citizens by flying them to foreign states, elect a president without a brain and of course should you decline our offer of help we will just bomb you into submission as we have attempted to do with other countries.
It is of no concern to us as to how many of our armed forces are killed as long as we remain world leaders.

If Thailand truly wanted to follow in the footsteps of the United States, then they would have invaded Spain (or some other sovereign nation) to deal with their problems.

Here we go again sticking our nose where it does not belong. Washington needs to straighten its own problems out before we try controling any more of the world. Right now it seems thing are progressing right along.

[dab69]

Are you suggesting we need a religious, rather than a secular state? I certainly hope not.

i think they already have it of sorts and it's wonderful.
as opposed to the USA christian stick-your-nose-
in-your neighbors-business theocracy?
does thailand comlain when the US sends
prisoners out for "interrogation"?

good that the USA is whining, now they will be totally ignored there.

Are you suggesting we need a religious, rather than a secular state? I certainly hope not.

Hmm.How odd - I thought Thailand is a theocratic monarchy

[Aunty]

Clark urges Thailand to return to democracy

Tuesday October 3, 2006

The Government took a "dim view" of restrictions on the people of Thailand and urged those now controlling the country to quickly restore democratic rule, Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday.

Former Army commander Surayud Chulanont has been sworn in as the Thai premier following last month's military coup against Thaksin Shinawatra.

Helen Clark said the [New Zealand] Government continued to be concerned about developments in Thailand, and believed it was "highly regrettable" that democratic institutions had been over-ridden by military control.

Military coups had been a feature of Thailand's past but most observers would have thought they should not be a feature of its present.

Thai authorities seem to be giving effect to their timetable for a return to democracy, she said.

"But meantime ... basic civil and political rights and freedom of expression have been curtailed and we take a very dim view of that."

The Thai military have promised elections in October 2007.

- NZPA
www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=00037954-CFDF-1520-95D483027AF1010F (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=00037954-CFDF-1520-95D483027AF1010F)

Cedric's homeland, no less.

[wowpow]

Military has no plans to lift martial law

BANGKOK 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

I support all international pressure to LIFT martial law as soon as possible.