Thailand: America's loss is China's gain

[buksida]

When United States Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell bid to bring together top Thai officials and close associates of self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra at a joint breakfast meeting in Bangkok in early May, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government declined the high level invitation.

Officials familiar with the overture say that Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya was furious at Washington's overt attempt to intervene at a crucial juncture in the country's violently escalating conflict. The pro-Thaksin protest group, the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), ultimately refused the government's reconciliation roadmap, including an offer of early elections, and troops responded days later with lethal force to break up their demonstration.

After the crackdown and a return to relative calm in the Thai capital, Abhisit dispatched special envoy Kiat Sitheeamorn to Washington to deliver a more diplomatic rebuke and encourage Washington to refrain from future mediation in the conflict, which officials say is a sovereign affair that the criminally convicted Thaksin is bidding to internationalize for his own purposes.

"We are long-time friends and allies for 177 years and that means a lot," Kiat told Asia Times Online in an exclusive interview. "The position of the US has always been if we call for help and support, they will extend a helping hand. But its up to us to request and we have not asked ... I understand the intention was good, but perhaps there was a lack of understanding of a very complex situation."

Full Story: Asia Times Online

Thoughts: An interesting article implying that both sides of the political conflict would favour a relationship with China over one with the US.

[PeteC]

I don't know, I guess we'll see how it plays out over time. I do know many Sino-Thai people here in the shipping industry for years and they are skittish about the PRC. They'll take their money and trade but want nothing to do with their style of government.

As far as I'm concerned, anything to reduce the tax burden concerning foreign aid, which I've been paying since my first job at age 14, my parents before and my children now and grandchildren in the future would be most welcome! Pete

[Name Taken]

I personally think that U.S. governmemt spends too much tax payer money on foreign aid, but i am not a politician in Washington D.C. and i don't have a college degree in international studies so what do i know.

[sandman67]

I personally think that U.S. governmemt spends too much tax payer money on foreign aid

Really? You honestly believe that do you?

And I expect you also believe, like the majority of US citizens, that the USA is a CHRISTIAN country founded on CHRISTIAN principles which enshrines JUDEAO-CHRISTIAN values at its core. A country that fills every highway with CHRISTIAN billboards and crosses quoting from the Bible?

Good Samaritan ring a bell?

Or maybe the version of the Bible I was taught from at school left out the US versions chapter where Jeeeezus preaches "F you jack.... Im alright! Cursed are the meek and poor, for they are a shower of unwashed idle bastards."

I guess that is the version only available through Southern Baptist ministries.

Then I suggest you do a little comparison between the US and Europe on aid contributions....and start paying your owed membership dues at the UN.

Oh....one more tip...try sending development aid to countries that need it instead of sending it to Israel, a country that doesnt.

And if its your taxes you are worried about, may I suggest you borrow the Greek governments idea and start taxing the churches on the billions of dollars they gather every year.... TAX FREE.

[MrPlum]

I personally think that U.S. governmemt spends too much tax payer money on foreign aid...

I think 'AID' is another Orwellian label. Aid money is usually spent on U.S. contractors or used as 'bribes' with very little reaching the intended recipient.

Research "the Beltway Bandits".

[chopsticks]

Agree with Mr Plum that much of USAID money is spent supporting USA companies only.
Even down to vehicles,furniture and curtains etc. to equip employee houses in overseas missions is sourced in USA and shipped in. Then often replaced every 2-3 years when employees are shuffled around to take up new postings.
Some embassy buildings are built with only imported materials and workforce for fear of espionage.

[caller]

I personally think that U.S. governmemt spends too much tax payer money on foreign aid

Really? You honestly believe that do you?

And I expect you also believe, like the majority of US citizens, that the USA is a CHRISTIAN country founded on CHRISTIAN principles which enshrines JUDEAO-CHRISTIAN values at its core. A country that fills every highway with CHRISTIAN billboards and crosses quoting from the Bible?

Good Samaritan ring a bell?

Or maybe the version of the Bible I was taught from at school left out the US versions chapter where Jeeeezus preaches "F you jack.... Im alright! Cursed are the meek and poor, for they are a shower of unwashed idle bastards."

I guess that is the version only available through Southern Baptist ministries.

Then I suggest you do a little comparison between the US and Europe on aid contributions....and start paying your owed membership dues at the UN.

Oh....one more tip...try sending development aid to countries that need it instead of sending it to Israel, a country that doesnt.

And if its your taxes you are worried about, may I suggest you borrow the Greek governments idea and start taxing the churches on the billions of dollars they gather every year.... TAX FREE.

SM, he only said he thought his Country spent to much on foreign aid - it's my view that the UK does as well.

I'm not sure that merited your angst-filled sermon!

[johnnyk]

Foreign aid in most cases outside Scandinavia isn't philanthropy. The US and others do not hand over blank cheques. Rather, it is a support for industry at home. Corporate welfare.
For example, the US says it will give $2 billion in aid to country X.
The aid is in the form of orders/vouchers for tanks, bombs, guns, jets etc. The donor country gets to brag about how jai dee it is, industrial workers at home (did you know Chrysler makes more $ from tanks than from cars?) keep working and the money stays at home. Corrupt thugs receiving the largesse get to have more new, nasty toys to keep people where they belong (i.e. under the heel). If the Karzais and Mobutus need cash they can sell the tanks on to someone else, payment in Zurich.

[charlesh]

Yeap it would appear that the Yanks don't give things away without some string attached. They have a history of this AID (read the fine print) stretching way back. Just have a look at the loans emanating from WWI and WWII to their "mates".
I suspect the Judeo bit is what s/m was really talking about - Shylock and a pound of flesh no doubt (but then he was a Pom wasn't he?) ha, ha.