OCgringo Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5365906.stm The United States has condemned Tuesday's coup in Thailand and called for the restoration of democracy in its close ally as quickly as possible. Expressing "disappointment", the White House urged the coup leaders to keep their promise to hold elections. But there was no demand for deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to be returned to power. The head of the coup, Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, has said he will appoint a new prime minister within two weeks. He has also promised the interim government will draft a new constitution with the aim of restoring democracy within a year. BBC state department correspondent Jonathan Beale says Washington appears to be trying to avoid taking sides but US aid is likely to be suspended. The Thai army said it intervened to end the protracted political crisis sparked off by allegations of abuse of power against Mr Thaksin. According to Thai state TV, Thailand's revered head of state, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, has given his backing to Gen Sonthi. Mr Thaksin, who was at the United Nations when the coup took place, has now arrived in Britain, where it is not known how long he intends to stay. 'Step backward' White House press secretary Tony Snow said the US was "disappointed" and talks on a US free trade agreement with Thailand depended on a swift return to democracy. A US state department spokesman, Tom Casey, said there was "no justification" for the coup. "It is a step backward for democracy," he added. The coup leader is said to be close to the king although he says the monarch had nothing to do with the actual coup. The television statement attributed to the king urged all Thais to "remain peaceful" and called for civil servants to listen to orders from Gen Sonthi. The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says securing the endorsement of the 78-year-old monarch is crucial to the success of the military intervention. Months of tension The coup followed months of growing tension in Thailand, with protests against Mr Thaksin and a general election which was annulled due to concerns about its legitimacy. Gen Sonthi says he was acting in line with the wishes of the Thai people, blaming government mismanagement for forcing coup leaders to act. Many in Bangkok, where Mr Thaksin is unpopular, welcomed the news and coup supporters brought flowers and food to soldiers cordoning off the government district. Mr Thaksin arrived in London with little fanfare, on what the UK Foreign Office said was a private visit. It is the first coup in 15 years in a country where they used to be commonplace with 17 between 1932 and 1991. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samak Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 the white house has always shown little understandings for political issues and events in Asia. the history of the past decades is full of misjudgements and inappropriate interventions by the US government. if they could just stay out of issues like north korea or taiwan, everything would go fine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fidel Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 I think the coup is a step back for those who wish to plunder Thailand's wealth. Thankfully the bilateral FTA between Thailand-US is going to be further stalled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elef Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Bush administration condemns coup WASHINGTON - The United States on Wednesday condemned the coup in Thailand which ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and called for a return to civilian rule "as quickly as possible." In its first detailed reaction to Tuesday's dramatic uprising, Washington said there was no justification for a coup, but stopped short of calling for the restoration of Thaksin or his scandal-tainted government. "There's no justification for a military coup in Thailand or in any place else," said State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey. "We certainly are extremely disappointed by this action. It's a step backward for democracy in Thailand. "We want to see a resolution of this situation in accordance with the rule of law and in accordance with democratic procedures -- that certainly means the restoration of civilian rule in Thailand as quickly as possible." Asked why Washington was not calling for the return of Thaksin, Casey said: "I think the facts on the ground are that a coup has happened; certainly we wish that had not occurred in the first place." "The important thing now is that we move forward to make sure that those who have engaged in this activity live up to their public commitments, and again those commitments are to restore democracy as quickly as possible." Thailand's new military ruler pledged Wednesday to resign in two weeks and restore democracy in a year, after sweeping aside Thaksin, who was reelected twice but battered by corruption allegations. General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who orchestrated Tuesday night's coup while Thaksin was at the United Nations, said the premier had been pushed out in line with the wishes of the people after months of political turmoil. "I will resign as interim prime minister within two weeks, and now we are looking for the person who will become the new prime minister," said Sonthi, who added that he hoped to hold new elections in October 2007. Thaksin, meanwhile, arrived in London from New York on Tuesday for a "private visit." There were no indications on whether he would return to Thailand. Thailand is a key US military and diplomatic ally and has been a voice for democracy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which also includes several totalitarian states. Agence France Presse The Nation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elef Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Asked why Washington was not calling for the return of Thaksin, Casey said: "I think the facts on the ground are that a coup has happened; certainly we wish that had not occurred in the first place." "The important thing now is that we move forward to make sure that those who have engaged in this activity live up to their public commitments, and again those commitments are to restore democracy as quickly as possible." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaiLuk Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Sounds to me like an endorsement of the coup. But i'm not an expert in diplomatic-speak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaiLuk Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 >>"There's no justification for a military coup in Thailand or in any place else," said State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey.<< Considering what happened in iraq and afghan lately, that is an interesting statement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Central Scrutinizer Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 >>"There's no justification for a military coup in Thailand or in any place else," said State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey.<< Considering what happened in iraq and afghan lately, that is an interesting statement. Nah, you don't understand. Only we Americans are allowed to overthrow governments. Only America knows who is the good guys and who the bad. Only we have the right to do this! Jeez, I thought you understood this by now, MaiLuk. Cent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCgringo Posted September 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 the USA is spending billions of $$$ and thousands of soldiers lifes to push democracy onto people that may not want it , So what else can the USA say but that the condemn the coup and want democracy, It does not seem to matter that Taskin and friends plundered the country , it was a democracy, thats what matters OC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elef Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Venezuela had been a better place and Cuba of course...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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