Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Thursday downplayed a suggestion from US Secretary of States Hillary Clinton that Burma should be kick out of Asean because of its poor human rights record.

Abhisit said an isolated Burma would not help the reconciliation and democratisation process in the military-run state.

Asked on Thai television interview whether Asean should expelled Burma if it does not free the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Clinton replied: "It would be an appropriate policy change to consider

-- The Nation 23/07/09http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/30108177/Abhisit-downplays-Clinton's-suggestion-on-Bur

Asean rejects US call to expel Burma

Writer: Bangkok Post.com, AFP

Published: 23/07/2009 at 04:20 PM The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will not consider expelling Burma over the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi because it was unlikely it would solve the problem, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thursday.

His statement came after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on the regional bloc to consider expelling Burma if it does not free the Nobel laureate.

Although Asean and Western countries share the same goals regarding democracy, the suggestion could not be taken up for a number of reasons said Mr Abhisit, the current Asean chairman

-- Bangkok Post 23/07/09continuedhttp://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/149924/asean-rejects-us-call-to-expel-burma-pm

Not surprised at all.

One does not have to even read the article to understand why.

1. Not many countries in the world like to have imposed (suggested) ideas about their own region, put forward by a country from the other side of the world.

2. Unfortunately, the USA has not too much good will around the globe these days. So as good as the ideas/suggestions might be, the reputation will sometimes make people not see the good stuff. This is very unfortunate.

3. The world seems to try something else then the old "cannon diplomacy".

Nothing will change until ASEAN shows some desire to censor Burma. Don't think that will happen, to it will just be a whole lot of pissing and moaning, with nothing resulting.

Khun Abhisit is more wise and honest than many people think.He answered the truth to Mrs.Clinton,at the moment Thailand has too many internal problems to get involved in a political fight with Myanmar.I guess the same people who criticize him for saying no,are the same people who would criticize him if he said yes.What were the previous PMs doing with the Myanmar junta???Why is Mark expected to clean the mess???

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Thursday downplayed a suggestion from US Secretary of States Hillary Clinton that Burma should be kick out of Asean because of its poor human rights record.

Abhisit said an isolated Burma would not help the reconciliation and democratisation process in the military-run state.

Asked on Thai television interview whether Asean should expelled Burma if it does not free the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Clinton replied: "It would be an appropriate policy change to consider

-- The Nation 23/07/09http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/30108177/Abhisit-downplays-Clinton's-suggestion-on-Bur

Edited July 24, 200916 yr by Datsun240Z

Abhisit said an isolated Burma would not help the reconciliation and democratisation process in the military-run state.

And engagement has done such a spectacular job.

I respectfully submit that the PM is full of crap.

Edited July 24, 200916 yr by cdnvic

Typical international diplomacy BS. American (Chevron) and French (Total), interests in gas make it diificult for Clinton to directly censure Burma. Thai (PTTEP), Malaysian (Petronas), and Japanese (Nippon Oil) interests mean they will not do anything anyway.

Clinton's stance comes from Burma's alleged ties with N Korea. The US hates any nation that is not under it's thumb to have nukes.

As the US Empire crumbles, the percieved "threat" of "rogue nations" becomes even more of a concern to the US.....but I have long wondered why the US is so concerned about N.Korea.....as if N.Korea could take over the world if it wanted...yeah right! Nukes or no nukes, N.Korea is no threat.

Nukes or no nukes, N.Korea is no threat.

That's true. US has so many nukes ( Don't forget USSR to! ), nothing will happen if they do get crazy.

Abhisit said an isolated Burma would not help the reconciliation and democratisation process in the military-run state.

On the contrary Mr. Prime Minister. Some circles would easily suggested that an unified isolation effort could be a more beneficial in the long-run for a festing change in Burma. Certainly, we understand you have to extend the party rhetoric, for we all know what the official state policy has been for decades regarding Burma.

Typical international diplomacy BS. American (Chevron) and French (Total), interests in gas make it diificult for Clinton to directly censure Burma. Thai (PTTEP), Malaysian (Petronas), and Japanese (Nippon Oil) interests mean they will not do anything anyway.

Clinton's stance comes from Burma's alleged ties with N Korea. The US hates any nation that is not under it's thumb to have nukes.

As the US Empire crumbles, the percieved "threat" of "rogue nations" becomes even more of a concern to the US.....but I have long wondered why the US is so concerned about N.Korea.....as if N.Korea could take over the world if it wanted...yeah right! Nukes or no nukes, N.Korea is no threat.

...and no mention {Clinton} of the good suffering folks of Burma.

Thailand with it's HUGE border with Burma would VERY likely be the last to publicly pull that tigers tail.

Quite rightly, even a lame, inept, half-hearted Myanmar army attack across Thailand's border would have

disastrous consequences.

And given the nutcase, astrolger courting, madness at the top over there,

getting expelled might just be enough lost face for the general to make

a hail mary pass and attack to save face.

Clinton did just goive ASEAN more cover to discuss and lean on the junta there,

via OTHER members, rather than it's long border neighbor. Not much more will

happen while Thailand is head, because of this long border.

When you home is next to an asylum, you don't throw rocks at the inmates,

just in case they escape.

Abhisit said an isolated Burma would not help the reconciliation and democratisation process in the military-run state.

On the contrary Mr. Prime Minister. Some circles would easily suggested that an unified isolation effort could be a more beneficial in the long-run for a festing change in Burma. Certainly, we understand you have to extend the party rhetoric, for we all know what the official state policy has been for decades regarding Burma.

The main problem with this is China will just pick up the slack and Burma will keep on as before.

When I was in northern Burma last Jan. I saw several thousands of HUGE trucks heading towards China full,

and back down south mostly empty. Even in the farther south areas, 50% of all BIG trucks had

China plates and writing to go with local tags, where they had them at all.

Most of the country's indigenous trucking is designed in 1947 by Dodge....

The Junta is selling most of the countries mineral and timber assets to it's big benefactor,

and squat goes to most of it's people.

Nukes or no nukes, N.Korea is no threat.

Try convicing the Japanese. They perceive a nuclear armed North Korea as a grave threat.