Thai Foreign Minister Tanasak gets nod from diplomats

[webfact]

Prayuth's Cabinet
Foreign Minister Tanasak gets nod from diplomats
Supalak Ganjanakhundee,
Marisa Chimprabha
The Nation


Cambodia

But appointment of military officer could raise concern with some nations

BANGKOK: -- THE DIPLOMATIC community yesterday welcomed new Foreign Minister Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn, but reserved comment on his appointment until they can evaluate him and the government based on actions and progress made while in the position.

General Tanasak, who is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, is the first foreign minister to be still in active military service. He has been with the military since the 1980s.

Meanwhile, a source said the appointment of career diplomat Don Pramudwinai as deputy foreign minister would help Tanasak overseas as some countries might be reluctant in receiving him, as he also holds a top position in the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). Tanasak could concentrate on Thailand's neighbours, Asean states and key partners in the region, while Don attends multilateral meetings that help raise the Kingdom's profile.

The diplomatic corps in Thailand, however, said they have no problem with the general. Foreign affairs mostly depends on policy, diplomatic skills, action and commitment, rather than personality, they said.

UK Ambassador Mark Kent said the international community would judge the new government and the minister in accordance with action.

"We will evaluate the new government according to their action, including progress in implementing the NCPO roadmap. This necessitates a genuine commitment to a truly inclusive reform process with wide participation, the restoration of full democracy next year and respect for Thailand's international human rights obligations," he said.

Indian Ambassador Harsh Vard-han Shringla said Tanasak had recently visited India as chief of the Thai defence forces, and met India's minister for defence and finance and armed forces chiefs.

"He has a sound understanding of the close and cooperative nature of bilateral relations between our two countries, and his appointment as deputy PM and foreign minister will undoubtedly contribute to the continuation and strengthening of ties," the ambassador said.

Singaporean Ambassador Chua Siew San said: "We look forward to working with the new foreign minister for the benefit of our two countries and the region."

Tanasak, a deputy of the junta chief, was assigned to oversee the Foreign Ministry after the military takeover. "I will continue the job I was assigned before the ministerial post. I'm confident in pushing forward the mission, as officials at the ministry have provided good cooperation. They work actively and have dignity and freedom in their work," Tanasak told reporters on arrival from Cambodia yesterday.

The general visited Cambodia yesterday as chief of the Thai armed forces. He used the opportunity to explain Thailand's political situation and the need for his group to stage the putsch against the previous government.

It was necessary for his group to seize power, he said. The military action would prevent a democratic setback, economic collapse and possible civil war, he said, adding that if chaos erupted in Thailand, would affect neighbouring countries in Asean.

The recent visit to Thailand by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Banh was regarded as the "highest moral support from friends and members of the same family", Tanasak said.

In Phnom Penh, Tea Banh said the Cambodian government congratulated the new government and the new visiting foreign minister. He also extended a letter of congratulations to his Thai counterpart General Prawit Wongsuwan.

Tea Banh said it was a good opportunity for the military to run the country since military tactics could solve problems quickly, adding that the difficulties over migrant workers could be resolved soon.

Hundreds of thousands of Cambodian migrant workers left Thailand shortly after the May 22 coup after rumours began circulating that the junta was planning to crack down on them. However, most returned to their jobs in a couple of weeks after the junta provided explanations and direct contact to clear the way between the two governments.

In a talk with Tanasak, Tea Banh also reaffirmed the position that Phnom Penh would not allow any anti-junta figure to use its territory as a launching pad against the Thai government. Leaders in Phnom Penh make strong promises every time they meet their Thai counterparts since Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen has a personal relationship with former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and good ties with the previous government under Thaksin's sister, Yingluck.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Foreign-Minister-Tanasak-gets-nod-from-diplomats-30242317.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-02

[Chao Lao Beach]

Interesting concept.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

Hope he can speak better English than the last one.

[Sydebolle]

I think it is none of our (farang) business to comment on the appointment of politicians in Thailand and if you see, what mess the recent "democratically elected" governments produced ..........

I happen to know Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai quite well. I came across him when he was appointed Ambassador of Thailand to Switzerland, he then moved on to other Head of Mission posts in Washington and Beijing apart from being the spokesman for the Foreign Minister. All these postings happened under different governments and nobody sends a fool to such (for Thailand important) countries like the US or PR China. He is an absolute top notch diplomat and Thailand can be nothing short but proud of having such excellent experts, professional, unbiased and uncorrupt.

His posting as Deputy is absolutely spot on; proves of leadership qualities by the PM and will be a fantastic back-up help for the Foreign Minister.

Give them a chance - they certainly deserve it!

[Roadman]

An enlightened approach from the UK in that they would judge in accordance with actions. Wonder if the US and Aussie are as enlightened yet.

[ratcatcher]

Hope he can speak better English than the last one.

Good point, although I have never heard either the Supreme Commander or the new P.M. speak English in an interview. I hope they can.

Do the presidents of Russia and China speak English and, I wonder, does Obama speak Spanish or German?

[halloween]

Seems Prayuth hasn't got a retarded cousin in need of a job.

[Lupatria]

I think it is none of our (farang) business to comment on the appointment of politicians in Thailand and if you see, what mess the recent "democratically elected" governments produced ..........

I happen to know Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai quite well. I came across him when he was appointed Ambassador of Thailand to Switzerland, he then moved on to other Head of Mission posts in Washington and Beijing apart from being the spokesman for the Foreign Minister. All these postings happened under different governments and nobody sends a fool to such (for Thailand important) countries like the US or PR China. He is an absolute top notch diplomat and Thailand can be nothing short but proud of having such excellent experts, professional, unbiased and uncorrupt.

His posting as Deputy is absolutely spot on; proves of leadership qualities by the PM and will be a fantastic back-up help for the Foreign Minister.

Give them a chance - they certainly deserve it!

I think it is none of our (farang) business to comment on the appointment of politicians in Thailand...

Hm, then why didn't you stop here?

[smutcakes]

I think it is none of our (farang) business to comment on the appointment of politicians in Thailand and if you see, what mess the recent "democratically elected" governments produced ..........

I happen to know Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai quite well. I came across him when he was appointed Ambassador of Thailand to Switzerland, he then moved on to other Head of Mission posts in Washington and Beijing apart from being the spokesman for the Foreign Minister. All these postings happened under different governments and nobody sends a fool to such (for Thailand important) countries like the US or PR China. He is an absolute top notch diplomat and Thailand can be nothing short but proud of having such excellent experts, professional, unbiased and uncorrupt.

His posting as Deputy is absolutely spot on; proves of leadership qualities by the PM and will be a fantastic back-up help for the Foreign Minister.

Give them a chance - they certainly deserve it!

If he is so good, which i have no reason to doubt, why did they not appoint him FM instead of Deputy? Given his resume and your first hand comments i would dare to say he has far more experience than General Tanasak.

Surely it could not be because the General is owed a favour and because in turn for his support he has been promised the FM post above better qualified persons?

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

Hope he can speak better English than the last one.

Good point, although I have never heard either the Supreme Commander or the new P.M. speak English in an interview. I hope they can.

Do the presidents of Russia and China speak English and, I wonder, does Obama speak Spanish or German?

You would expect that a Foreign Minister is able to communicate in English as it is the language most diplomats use.

[fab4]

An enlightened approach from the UK in that they would judge in accordance with actions. Wonder if the US and Aussie are as enlightened yet.

I've never been too good at diplomacy but if you actually understood what the UK Ambassador said you'd see there was no sudden onset of "enlightenment" - His response is just re-iterating what the UK response was on the day of the coup.

Mark Kent, UK Ambassador to Thailand, 2nd Sept 2014:

"We will evaluate the new government according to their action, including progress in implementing the NCPO roadmap. This necessitates a genuine commitment to a truly inclusive reform process with wide participation, the restoration of full democracy next year and respect for Thailand's international human rights obligations,"

William Hague, Foreign Secretary UK, 22nd May 2014:

The UK urges the restoration of a civilian government that has been democratically elected, serves the interests of its people and fulfils its human rights obligations. We look therefore to the authorities to set out a quick clear timetable for elections to help re-establish the democratic framework of governance.

[Halion]

I think it is none of our (farang) business to comment on the appointment of politicians in Thailand and if you see, what mess the recent "democratically elected" governments produced ..........

I happen to know Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai quite well. I came across him when he was appointed Ambassador of Thailand to Switzerland, he then moved on to other Head of Mission posts in Washington and Beijing apart from being the spokesman for the Foreign Minister. All these postings happened under different governments and nobody sends a fool to such (for Thailand important) countries like the US or PR China. He is an absolute top notch diplomat and Thailand can be nothing short but proud of having such excellent experts, professional, unbiased and uncorrupt.

His posting as Deputy is absolutely spot on; proves of leadership qualities by the PM and will be a fantastic back-up help for the Foreign Minister.

Give them a chance - they certainly deserve it!

Interesting that your opening comment should be that it is neither our place or concern to comment on the appointment of "appointed" not elected,politicians.

Is this because you have personal knowledge of this official and you feel that gives your significant insight or are you simply following the current mantra of repression of free speech. There may well be many others with intimate knowledge of such appointees and a wealth of experience in the affairs of this country and their opinion is no less valid than yours along with their right to express their opinion. After all isn't democracy the end game of this whole exercise .

[Sydebolle]

I think it is none of our (farang) business to comment on the appointment of politicians in Thailand and if you see, what mess the recent "democratically elected" governments produced ..........

I happen to know Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai quite well. I came across him when he was appointed Ambassador of Thailand to Switzerland, he then moved on to other Head of Mission posts in Washington and Beijing apart from being the spokesman for the Foreign Minister. All these postings happened under different governments and nobody sends a fool to such (for Thailand important) countries like the US or PR China. He is an absolute top notch diplomat and Thailand can be nothing short but proud of having such excellent experts, professional, unbiased and uncorrupt.

His posting as Deputy is absolutely spot on; proves of leadership qualities by the PM and will be a fantastic back-up help for the Foreign Minister.

Give them a chance - they certainly deserve it!

I think it is none of our (farang) business to comment on the appointment of politicians in Thailand...

Hm, then why didn't you stop here?

..... to give everybody a chance to pinpoint the contradiction 8-)

[Sydebolle]

I think it is none of our (farang) business to comment on the appointment of politicians in Thailand and if you see, what mess the recent "democratically elected" governments produced ..........

I happen to know Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai quite well. I came across him when he was appointed Ambassador of Thailand to Switzerland, he then moved on to other Head of Mission posts in Washington and Beijing apart from being the spokesman for the Foreign Minister. All these postings happened under different governments and nobody sends a fool to such (for Thailand important) countries like the US or PR China. He is an absolute top notch diplomat and Thailand can be nothing short but proud of having such excellent experts, professional, unbiased and uncorrupt.

His posting as Deputy is absolutely spot on; proves of leadership qualities by the PM and will be a fantastic back-up help for the Foreign Minister.

Give them a chance - they certainly deserve it!

If he is so good, which i have no reason to doubt, why did they not appoint him FM instead of Deputy? Given his resume and your first hand comments i would dare to say he has far more experience than General Tanasak.

Surely it could not be because the General is owed a favour and because in turn for his support he has been promised the FM post above better qualified persons?

How can I know - I never came across FM Tanasak. But DFM Don might have not accepted the appointment if he was not absolutely sure that what he is doing is in the interest of Thailand. Hence my remarks.

[Sydebolle]

I think it is none of our (farang) business to comment on the appointment of politicians in Thailand and if you see, what mess the recent "democratically elected" governments produced ..........

I happen to know Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai quite well. I came across him when he was appointed Ambassador of Thailand to Switzerland, he then moved on to other Head of Mission posts in Washington and Beijing apart from being the spokesman for the Foreign Minister. All these postings happened under different governments and nobody sends a fool to such (for Thailand important) countries like the US or PR China. He is an absolute top notch diplomat and Thailand can be nothing short but proud of having such excellent experts, professional, unbiased and uncorrupt.

His posting as Deputy is absolutely spot on; proves of leadership qualities by the PM and will be a fantastic back-up help for the Foreign Minister.

Give them a chance - they certainly deserve it!

Interesting that your opening comment should be that it is neither our place or concern to comment on the appointment of "appointed" not elected,politicians.

Is this because you have personal knowledge of this official and you feel that gives your significant insight or are you simply following the current mantra of repression of free speech. There may well be many others with intimate knowledge of such appointees and a wealth of experience in the affairs of this country and their opinion is no less valid than yours along with their right to express their opinion. After all isn't democracy the end game of this whole exercise .

We will see .......

[smutcakes]

I think it is none of our (farang) business to comment on the appointment of politicians in Thailand and if you see, what mess the recent "democratically elected" governments produced ..........

I happen to know Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai quite well. I came across him when he was appointed Ambassador of Thailand to Switzerland, he then moved on to other Head of Mission posts in Washington and Beijing apart from being the spokesman for the Foreign Minister. All these postings happened under different governments and nobody sends a fool to such (for Thailand important) countries like the US or PR China. He is an absolute top notch diplomat and Thailand can be nothing short but proud of having such excellent experts, professional, unbiased and uncorrupt.

His posting as Deputy is absolutely spot on; proves of leadership qualities by the PM and will be a fantastic back-up help for the Foreign Minister.

Give them a chance - they certainly deserve it!

If he is so good, which i have no reason to doubt, why did they not appoint him FM instead of Deputy? Given his resume and your first hand comments i would dare to say he has far more experience than General Tanasak.

Surely it could not be because the General is owed a favour and because in turn for his support he has been promised the FM post above better qualified persons?

How can I know - I never came across FM Tanasak. But DFM Don might have not accepted the appointment if he was not absolutely sure that what he is doing is in the interest of Thailand. Hence my remarks.

Sorry if my comment came across as asking you, it was not intended, more a rhetorical question regarding the current system of Governance.

[tbthailand]

"The general visited Cambodia yesterday as chief of the Thai armed forces."

Friendly to the current regime

"He used the opportunity to explain Thailand's political situation and the need for his group to stage the putsch against the previous government."

Are they still hung up on explaining this coup?

"It was necessary for his group to seize power, he said. The military action would prevent a democratic setback,..."

now that is funny. I'm rolling on the floor. no really, these guys are such a bunch of comedians. they should take the show on the road. do a tour of isaan and bring happiness to the thai people.

[Thailand]

I would be surprised to see ambassadors of countries that condemned the coup receiving him.

Nothing has changed?

[wandasloan]

His posting as Deputy is absolutely spot on; proves of leadership qualities by the PM and will be a fantastic back-up help for the Foreign Minister.

Give them a chance - they certainly deserve it!

So you think pushing this brilliant, excellent diplomat down to second place under a four-star general and coup-maker without a shred of diplomatic, international experience — shunting aside an excellent diplomat with rafts of experience - someone you personally known and admire - is proof of excellent leadership. The logic of that escapes me even further than the actual goofiness of the action itself, which appalls me.

Just wondering what you would have thought if Don had been appointed as minister of foreign affairs, instead of Briefcase Holder of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I think it would have been a good idea. You seem to think he's not really qualified for the job, compared with this actual appointee who has no experience at all and who is weighed down by guns, medals and dress greens. I think Don would have actually got respect.

.

[rubl]

I think it is none of our (farang) business to comment on the appointment of politicians in Thailand and if you see, what mess the recent "democratically elected" governments produced ..........

I happen to know Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai quite well. I came across him when he was appointed Ambassador of Thailand to Switzerland, he then moved on to other Head of Mission posts in Washington and Beijing apart from being the spokesman for the Foreign Minister. All these postings happened under different governments and nobody sends a fool to such (for Thailand important) countries like the US or PR China. He is an absolute top notch diplomat and Thailand can be nothing short but proud of having such excellent experts, professional, unbiased and uncorrupt.

His posting as Deputy is absolutely spot on; proves of leadership qualities by the PM and will be a fantastic back-up help for the Foreign Minister.

Give them a chance - they certainly deserve it!

I think it is none of our (farang) business to comment on the appointment of politicians in Thailand...

Hm, then why didn't you stop here?

I didn't know this was on the appointment of 'politicians'?

[rubl]

His posting as Deputy is absolutely spot on; proves of leadership qualities by the PM and will be a fantastic back-up help for the Foreign Minister.

Give them a chance - they certainly deserve it!

So you think pushing this brilliant, excellent diplomat down to second place under a four-star general and coup-maker without a shred of diplomatic, international experience — shunting aside an excellent diplomat with rafts of experience - someone you personally known and admire - is proof of excellent leadership. The logic of that escapes me even further than the actual goofiness of the action itself, which appalls me.

Just wondering what you would have thought if Don had been appointed as minister of foreign affairs, instead of Briefcase Holder of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I think it would have been a good idea. You seem to think he's not really qualified for the job, compared with this actual appointee who has no experience at all and who is weighed down by guns, medals and dress greens. I think Don would have actually got respect.

Oh come on, Wanda, cool it will you?

'Shunted aside' suggest the chap was promised the position, clearly seen by all as the only right man.

BTW normally MoFA seem to be politicians rather than Diplomats. The MoFA to do the visable tasks and his Deputy being the diplomat. Diplomatic work hardly ever likes the publicity politicians live on.

The current setup seems to guarantee the diplomatic touch.

[wandasloan]

Oh come on, Wanda, cool it will you?

'Shunted aside' suggest the chap was promised the position, clearly seen by all as the only right man.

BTW normally MoFA seem to be politicians rather than Diplomats. The MoFA to do the visable tasks and his Deputy being the diplomat. Diplomatic work hardly ever likes the publicity politicians live on.

The current setup seems to guarantee the diplomatic touch.

The current setup DOES guarantee that Thailand will not get a proper look into almost all diplomatic activities in the world including bilateral and multilateral relations, and international bodies. It shows that the diplomatic touch no longer matters to Thailand in any manner, so long as the man at the top has someone he can trust in the job, no matter how odious.

And you are entirely wrong about "normally". Normally, Thailand's foreign minister is a career diplomat from the very excellent ministry of foreign affairs. The most recent government did not do that, which was a very un-normal arrangement. The Yingluck government was widely and often criticised for its choice of an outsider as foreign minister. Thailand's foreign service is quite respected worldwide.

General Sarit has doubled down by appointing the first serving, four-star, bemedalled foreign minister in modern Thai history. It is completely, utterly un-normal, done against the advice of the foreign ministry and many, many advisers and the entire Thai media. It ensures that Thailand will continue to be treated as if it does not have a foreign ministry by countries and international groups around the world.

The foreign ministry has been shunted aside by brute force and at gunpoint. This is not an excellent or wise decision, not in today's atmosphere which already has Thailand being treated at arm's length by so many countries and so many international organisations. Do you really, actually think that this four-star coup-making, constitution-breaking power seizer, a man without a shred of international diplomatic experience, will get respect when he appears at the United Nations Human Rights Commission - or even the Asean one?. Do you really think relations with Japan, India and Australia will improve under this man? Do you think Mr Cameron and Mr Obama are eager to take advantage of this appointment to move relations forward?

You really believe that?

.

[rubl]

Oh come on, Wanda, cool it will you?

'Shunted aside' suggest the chap was promised the position, clearly seen by all as the only right man.

BTW normally MoFA seem to be politicians rather than Diplomats. The MoFA to do the visable tasks and his Deputy being the diplomat. Diplomatic work hardly ever likes the publicity politicians live on.

The current setup seems to guarantee the diplomatic touch.

The current setup DOES guarantee that Thailand will not get a proper look into almost all diplomatic activities in the world including bilateral and multilateral relations, and international bodies. It shows that the diplomatic touch no longer matters to Thailand in any manner, so long as the man at the top has someone he can trust in the job, no matter how odious.

And you are entirely wrong about "normally". Normally, Thailand's foreign minister is a career diplomat from the very excellent ministry of foreign affairs. The most recent government did not do that, which was a very un-normal arrangement. The Yingluck government was widely and often criticised for its choice of an outsider as foreign minister. Thailand's foreign service is quite respected worldwide.

General Sarit has doubled down by appointing the first serving, four-star, bemedalled foreign minister in modern Thai history. It is completely, utterly un-normal, done against the advice of the foreign ministry and many, many advisers and the entire Thai media. It ensures that Thailand will continue to be treated as if it does not have a foreign ministry by countries and international groups around the world.

The foreign ministry has been shunted aside by brute force and at gunpoint. This is not an excellent or wise decision, not in today's atmosphere which already has Thailand being treated at arm's length by so many countries and so many international organisations. Do you really, actually think that this four-star coup-making, constitution-breaking power seizer, a man without a shred of international diplomatic experience, will get respect when he appears at the United Nations Human Rights Commission - or even the Asean one?. Do you really think relations with Japan, India and Australia will improve under this man? Do you think Mr Cameron and Mr Obama are eager to take advantage of this appointment to move relations forward?

You really believe that?

Well, thank you for your words of wisdom. I especially like the 'definite' character of parts like "DOES guarantee that Thailand will not get a proper look". You worked as a career diplomat I guess? Mind you, those mostly are a bit more careful in phrasing things.

I think I will not be too far amiss in describing your post as somewhat less fact and possibly more close to opinion. No offence meant of course

[wandasloan]

Well, thank you for your words of wisdom. I especially like the 'definite' character of parts like "DOES guarantee that Thailand will not get a proper look". You worked as a career diplomat I guess? Mind you, those mostly are a bit more careful in phrasing things.

I think I will not be too far amiss in describing your post as somewhat less fact and possibly more close to opinion. No offence meant of course

Reading that, one would have to guess you are a politician and a bit of a fearful one at that. No opinion expressed, no facts employed, no claims disproved - nothing really there but just a trace smidgen of snideness seasoned with no more than an iota of barely implied supercilium.

I had thought you were going to take part in this discussion. Why post at all? Without facts or opinion or both, why use up valuable Ascii resources?

.

[jayboy]

An enlightened approach from the UK in that they would judge in accordance with actions. Wonder if the US and Aussie are as enlightened yet.

Read what Mark Kent commented more carefully.Of course everybody is judged by their action, but what the Ambassador said in diplomatic language reflects the UK's profound unhappiness with the coup, the Junta's dictatorship and the excessively vague timetable to democracy when the Thai people's wishes will be properly reflected.It is not the UK's role to interfere in Thailand's internal affairs and there is an acceptance of the status quo but equally friends should speak frankly to friends.If you have the slightest doubt of the Ambassador's views on this you should scrutinise his blog and twitter feed.

[jayboy]

His posting as Deputy is absolutely spot on; proves of leadership qualities by the PM and will be a fantastic back-up help for the Foreign Minister.

Give them a chance - they certainly deserve it!

So you think pushing this brilliant, excellent diplomat down to second place under a four-star general and coup-maker without a shred of diplomatic, international experience — shunting aside an excellent diplomat with rafts of experience - someone you personally known and admire - is proof of excellent leadership. The logic of that escapes me even further than the actual goofiness of the action itself, which appalls me.

Just wondering what you would have thought if Don had been appointed as minister of foreign affairs, instead of Briefcase Holder of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I think it would have been a good idea. You seem to think he's not really qualified for the job, compared with this actual appointee who has no experience at all and who is weighed down by guns, medals and dress greens. I think Don would have actually got respect.

.

Excellent post on a very foolish one.I have no reason to doubt this particular bureaucrat's professional skills but he will wrestle with having a dimbulb general as his boss - as welcome to the rest of the civilised world as a fart in a phone box.Anyway that ludicrous and rather sinister little dumpling Kasit was Head of Mission in his time, so that fact doesn't exactly guarantee quality control.

[rubl]

Well, thank you for your words of wisdom. I especially like the 'definite' character of parts like "DOES guarantee that Thailand will not get a proper look". You worked as a career diplomat I guess? Mind you, those mostly are a bit more careful in phrasing things.

I think I will not be too far amiss in describing your post as somewhat less fact and possibly more close to opinion. No offence meant of course

Reading that, one would have to guess you are a politician and a bit of a fearful one at that. No opinion expressed, no facts employed, no claims disproved - nothing really there but just a trace smidgen of snideness seasoned with no more than an iota of barely implied supercilium.

I had thought you were going to take part in this discussion. Why post at all? Without facts or opinion or both, why use up valuable Ascii resources?

No need to be fearful, my dear.

BTW personally I thought my post reflected more that what a diplomat might have expressed. A politician mostly voices his opinion as (s)he thinks others will appreciate and is able to switch faster than some stuff can run through a goose.

To answer your question, I find it difficult to discuss with people who state opinions as facts.

PS my resources are of a slightly more modern type, mostly UTF-8 although at times simple Windows-874 is possible.

[rubl]

His posting as Deputy is absolutely spot on; proves of leadership qualities by the PM and will be a fantastic back-up help for the Foreign Minister.

Give them a chance - they certainly deserve it!

So you think pushing this brilliant, excellent diplomat down to second place under a four-star general and coup-maker without a shred of diplomatic, international experience — shunting aside an excellent diplomat with rafts of experience - someone you personally known and admire - is proof of excellent leadership. The logic of that escapes me even further than the actual goofiness of the action itself, which appalls me.

Just wondering what you would have thought if Don had been appointed as minister of foreign affairs, instead of Briefcase Holder of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I think it would have been a good idea. You seem to think he's not really qualified for the job, compared with this actual appointee who has no experience at all and who is weighed down by guns, medals and dress greens. I think Don would have actually got respect.

Excellent post on a very foolish one.I have no reason to doubt this particular bureaucrat's professional skills but he will wrestle with having a dimbulb general as his boss - as welcome to the rest of the civilised world as a fart in a phone box.Anyway that ludicrous and rather sinister little dumpling Kasit was Head of Mission in his time, so that fact doesn't exactly guarantee quality control.

"dimbulb general" ?

As in the slang word originating in the USA putting "dim" and "bulb" together meaning "a stupid person", "dimwit" ?

Brave sir Robin, any proof the new MoFA is as you claim ?

[wandasloan]

"dimbulb general" ?

As in the slang word originating in the USA putting "dim" and "bulb" together meaning "a stupid person", "dimwit" ?

Brave sir Robin, any proof the new MoFA is as you claim ?

I have an idea!

Why not post YOUR ideas on the capabilities of the man? Fine to be a polling machine asking everyone else three or four times if they are SURE about their opinions - but have you no knowledge of the subject whatsoever?

.

[englishoak]

A General as foreign minister over any respected experienced civilian one ? Hmmm

Not so smart a move methinks diplomatically but certainly sends a clear message of where things are heading.