Thai-U S Defence Alliance Only Reaffirms Ties: Sukampol

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Defence pact with US 'only reaffirms ties'

The Nation

Sukampol says no parliamentary approval needed; assures there's no govt policy to contain China

BANGKOK: -- The 2012 Joint Vision Statement for the Thai-US Defence Alliance, to be signed during the visit of US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta today, posed no legal difficulties in terms of the Constitution and would have no impact on strategic ties with China, Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat said.

The joint statement, to be signed by the two ministers, would simply reaffirm the Thai-US strategic partnership and military cooperation between the two countries, he said. "It will not create anything special or privileges between the two," Sukampol told reporters.

The Thai-US defence strategy for the 21st century would be strengthened with an emphasis on cooperation on all kinds of defence activities at all levels.

Thailand and the US have been military allies for more than half a century. The Kingdom is currently a major non-Nato ally of the US.

Under the vision, the two countries would continue their security partnership in the Southeast Asia region. They would seek to boost cooperation in responding to new threats in the region, according to a copy of the statement seen by The Nation.

The two countries would support and enhance stability in the Asia-Pacific and nearby regions, the document said.

On bilateral cooperation, the US would help develop Thai military capabilities and modernise the Thai armed forces by supporting training and education as well as supplying new equipment, the statement said.

The statement does not require parliamentary approval under Article 190 of the Constitution, according to Sukampol.

Mongkolkit Suksintharanond, a member of the People's Network to Defend the Country, yesterday lodged a petition with the Ombudsman against the Cabinet's decision to allow the signing of the joint vision statement without Parliament's approval. The decision was unconstitutional, he said.

Article 190 of the Constitution requires any treaty whose content affects the nation's territory or requires adjustments to internal laws, or has a serious impact on the society and economy of the country, to be approved by Parliament before signing.

"This statement is a document for military cooperation, nothing related to territory," Sukampol said.

The legal aspects of the statement also appeared to worry academics, who raised concerns that the cooperation with the US might affect relations with Beijing, as Washington wanted to use the cooperation with Thailand to contain China.

"Academics in our country have a very narrow perspective," Sukampol said. "If we look at the matter in that way, we would not be able to cooperate with any country."

Thailand was open to similar cooperation with China if Beijing wanted it, he said. "Indeed, China has made clear that it has no worries about the joint statement," Sukampol said.

The joint vision statement introduced no new element into military cooperation between Thailand and the US, he said. Joint exercises such as Cobra Gold would continue, he said. The statement provided no privileges in return for access to US weaponry, he said.

The US has cooperation with many countries in Asia, not only Thailand, he said. "All Asian countries are glad to see the US increase engagement with this region. We want to have more cooperation with the US but we don't have a policy to contain China," Sukampol said. "We don't have such selfish and shallow ideas."

However, the minister said his government was well aware of the situation in the region and walked a fine line to balance the two rival powers. Thailand made very careful moves when it needed to engage with the two nations.

"We have many friends and have equal relations with all of them. We give equal importance to both China and the US," Sukampol said.

Vision statement

- Thailand is a Major Non-Nato Ally of the US.

- The vision for the 21st century is to strengthen the defence alliance.

- The countries will be partners in responding to new security threats in Southeast Asia.

- Support and enhance stability in Asia-Pacific.

- US to help develop and modernise the Thai military.

-- The Nation 2012-11-15

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US defence chief to renew military ties in Thailand

by Dan De Luce

BANGKOK, Nov 15, 2012 (AFP) - US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta arrived in Thailand on Thursday as part of an Asian tour designed to beef up security ties across the region as a counterweight to China's rise.

A possible reopening of US military contacts with neighbouring Myanmar for the first time since the 1980s are also expected to feature in Panetta's talks in Bangkok.

The Pentagon chief's trip has been overshadowed throughout by a snowballing sex scandal in Washington that forced the resignation last week of ex-general and CIA director David Petraeus over an extramarital affair.

The US commander in Afghanistan, General John Allen, has been linked to a key figure in the case and is now under investigation for potentially inappropriate emails.

Panetta's visit to Bangkok marks the first face-to-face talks between US and Thai defence ministers since 2008, and comes days before President Barack Obama is due in the region for a tour of Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Thai-US military relations have deep roots, dating back to the Korean war, but American officials said the Pentagon wanted to restore a more strategic dialogue to complement lower-level contacts between military units.

"We enjoy great operational cooperation with the Thais and what we're trying to do is to do bring back the strategic piece," said a senior defence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The United States suspended military aid to Thailand after a 2006 coup but reinstated the assistance after elections in December 2007.

However, Thailand's domestic turbulence has diminished Bangkok's importance for Washington, which is building up partnerships in Southeast Asia. The "rebalance" to the Pacific is fuelled by American worries over China's growing military might and its tough stance on territorial disputes.

Thailand's airbases and ports remain vital to the US military's logistical network in Asia and the Pentagon continues to hold dozens of drills every year with Bangkok, including the elaborate annual Cobra Gold exercise that involved nearly 13,000 troops from 24 countries last year.

Apart from affirming US-Thai security ties, the two governments are expected to discuss tentative steps to reopen US military contacts with neighbouring Myanmar, officials said.

Washington restored diplomatic relations with Myanmar and ended sanctions on investment in July.

The United States has also dropped its objection to inviting Myanmar to observe the Cobra Gold regional exercise next year, in a sign of thawing relations between the former foes.

Myanmar's participation in Cobra Gold would likely focus on humanitarian relief and disaster assistance, US officials said.

Next week Obama will make the first ever visit to Myanmar by a sitting US president, following a series of dramatic political changes in the country formerly known as Burma, which is emerging from decades of military rule.

He will meet President Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday that bloody unrest in the western state of Rakhine between Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims would "of course" feature in Obama's talks.

Earlier during his week-long trip to Asia, the third since June, Panetta took part in annual strategic talks with Australia in Perth, where officials unveiled plans to station a powerful US Air Force radar and space telescope.

He will fly to Cambodia on Friday to join a meeting of defence ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that is expected to focus on territorial tensions with China and the Myanmar unrest.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-11-15

[Samuimike1]

The big pictures is, the US need Thailand against China and Russia.

[tzthib]

Well I am glad China gave the Thai gov't permission to meet with the President of the United States.

The next time I need a Thai visa should I even bother going to the Thai consulate or should I instead go straight to the decision maker and apply at the Chinese embassy?

[me313]

The big pictures is, the US need Thailand against China and Russia.

No they don't, the US will deploy troops to Perth, Australia. Keep dreaming, t hey just need "rest and relaxation" in Thailand, and perhaps a strategic position should more trouble arise.

[Thai at Heart]

The big pictures is, the US need Thailand against China and Russia.

No they don't, the US will deploy troops to Perth, Australia. Keep dreaming, t hey just need "rest and relaxation" in Thailand, and perhaps a strategic position should more trouble arise.

Whatever you say about it, Thailand is part of a strong alliance with the US, and will stay that way for a long time. Putting some troops in Australia isn't meant to replace what goes on in Thailand, just to increase their presence in the region, and establish something should they have to move more people out of Japan.

These endless statements that someone does or doesn't "need' the other party is missing the point. You either maintain your friendships or you don't.

[Tywais]

Odd that something as significant as this and 'no problem' with the government but a request for a weather research team to come in and 'we need to evaluate it in Parliament under Article 190 ++".

[hawker9000]

Can't believe Thailand (or any country) takes "defence pacts" with the US seriously anymore. Obama would sooner cut off his own arm.