U.S. admiral stresses democracy at Thai war games

By Jutarat Skulpichetrat

REUTERS

 

U.S. Admiral Harry Harris, commander of the Pacific Command, and Thailand Chief of Defence Forces General Surapong Suwana-Adth review troops during the opening ceremony of the Asia-Pacific multilateral military exercise known as Cobra Gold, at Sattahip Royal Thai Marine Corps Base in Chonburi, Thailand February 14, 2017. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

 

CHONBURI, Thailand (Reuters) - The most senior U.S. officer to visit Thailand since a 2014 coup emphasised the importance of restoring democracy on Tuesday as he launched the annual Cobra Gold military exercise.

 

The United States scaled down its presence at Asia's largest annual multinational military exercise as one of the former U.S. administration's steps to pressure the junta.

 

With ties improving even before President Donald Trump took office, activists had voiced concern that Washington would put less focus on democratic change in a region where it faces an increasingly forceful China.

 

"We look forward to Thailand's re-emergence as a flourishing democracy because we need Thailand to be a strong and stable partner," said Admiral Harry Harris, head of U.S. Pacific Command, which covers about half the earth's surface.

 

"We need Thailand to get back to being the regional and global leader that it always has been."

 

Harris will later meet junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha in Bangkok.

 

Harris's attendance was planned before the inauguration of Trump, whose policy moves on Asia are closely watched after signals of potential confrontation with China over trade and territory.

 

In the face of the U.S. measures to push for democracy, Thailand has strengthened military co-operation with China.

 

New York-based Human Rights Watch said the change in relations with Thailand marked a worrisome shift given the military's grip on power and the arrests of activists and opponents of army rule.

 

"It appears Pentagon policymakers are intent on using Cobra Gold as a way to reboot U.S. military engagement with their Thai counterparts," wrote John Sifton of the advocacy group in an opinion piece that first appeared in the Washington Post.

 

The Thai junta held a referendum last year on a constitution to allow a general election. It is expected next year.

 

On Tuesday, the military government was also due to start meetings with political groups on national reconciliation ahead of the election. Parties have welcomed the idea, but questioned whether the generals can be fair.

 

Thailand has hosted the Cobra Gold war games since they began in 1982. This year's event will be attended by more than 8,300 personnel from 29 countries. Among them will be about 3,600 from the United States.

 

(Editing by Matthew Tostevin)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-02-14

Well said, too bad nobody's listening...

well he has had his say

now get on with the ball game

1 hour ago, webfact said:

"We look forward to Thailand's re-emergence as a flourishing democracy..."

 

"We need Thailand to get back to being the regional and global leader that it always has been."

Hope the Admiral is not a betting man. 

21 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

Hope the Admiral is not a betting man. 

 

Global leader ?? - hope he's not the guy making strategic decisions with his finger on the trigger.

Meanwhile, the USA is sliding down to an autocracy government under the Trump regime. 

The Admiral is spreading the good news of American democracy...but America is not a democracy. 
Obviously they don't teach US History at the US Naval Academy or he skipped those classes.  But by the time you reach Admiralship you have essentially gravitated to a political position and must tow the line of US foreign policy as espoused by the CFR.  "American democracy is good for all."  Hummm.    Best of luck convincing your Thai counter-parts of that. 

26 minutes ago, toenail said:

Meanwhile, the USA is sliding down to an autocracy government under the Trump regime. 

It has been sliding for a while, faster since 9/11.  Trump will try to take it lower most likely as would Hilary Clinton.   Trump favors things like Gitmo and water boarding .   Not holding on to any moral high ground anymore.

Personally not a great believer in Military chaps making political statements, but hey, that's just me.

47 minutes ago, connda said:

The Admiral is spreading the good news of American democracy...but America is not a democracy. 
Obviously they don't teach US History at the US Naval Academy or he skipped those classes.  But by the time you reach Admiralship you have essentially gravitated to a political position and must tow the line of US foreign policy as espoused by the CFR.  "American democracy is good for all."  Hummm.    Best of luck convincing your Thai counter-parts of that. 

Not a democracy? I was under the impression that the US had just voted in a new president under the rules of its constitution. 

Oh, I see you're liberals and the US can only be seen as a democracy if a liberal is chosen.

The left don't like it up 'em Captain Mainwaring.

 

"...

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Harris will later meet junta leader Prayut in Bangkok.

 

Guaranteed to be a four-star union full of hyperbole and rhetoric (and, many would say, other copious outpourings) !!!

here's an idea.  how about you mind your own business in your own country with a minority elected president, democratic process hijacked by unlimited corporate money, and a congress full of clowns who only represent small spacial interest groups.  US democracy is a joke.  so clean your own house first.  you look like a fool lecturing others.

2 hours ago, jesimps said:

Not a democracy? I was under the impression that the US had just voted in a new president under the rules of its constitution. 

Oh, I see you're liberals and the US can only be seen as a democracy if a liberal is chosen.

The left don't like it up 'em Captain Mainwaring.

 

it has nothing to do with being a liberal and everything to do with the president who lost popular vote by millions, with Russia and FBI blatantly interfering with the elections, and a totalitarian conservative propaganda machine that's been indoctrinating a large proportion of the population with outright lies for their cynical political ends.  that's not democracy.  GOP with the support of the american right had killed democracy just like they did american middle class.  

2 hours ago, jesimps said:

Not a democracy? I was under the impression that the US had just voted in a new president under the rules of its constitution. 

Oh, I see you're liberals and the US can only be seen as a democracy if a liberal is chosen.

The left don't like it up 'em Captain Mainwaring.

 

America is a republic which is not the same as a democracy.  The US practices democratic principles but remains a republic.

Is it just me, or does the Admiral look like he just stepped out of The Windmill?

Perhaps the Thai Ambassador to the US would stress on military manoeuvres and the Art of War with the US Congress?

5 hours ago, jesimps said:

Not a democracy? I was under the impression that the US had just voted in a new president under the rules of its constitution. 

Oh, I see you're liberals and the US can only be seen as a democracy if a liberal is chosen.

The left don't like it up 'em Captain Mainwaring.

 

It's a Republic Einsteins Look up the difference it's huge!!!

 

That distinguished commentator on Thai affairs Michael Yon, known for his sophisticated intelligence and elegantly slimline figure, has expressed his dissatisfaction at the Admiral's invocation of democratic values.

 

That scarcely known but corruptly rotten rag, The Economist, known to be in the pay of Thaksin has a different view.

 

'The largest multilateral military exercise in Asia gets under way today. America has been co-hosting “Cobra Gold” with Thailand since 1982—long before China’s rise and irrespective of Thailand’s position as a democracy or dictatorship. More than 10,000 troops will take part; 29 countries participate or observe. America will use the occasion to urge its Asian allies to steer clear of China and block its interests. But junta-ruled Thailand has been playing hard to get, its relationship with China warming and that with America increasingly resembling a marriage based on memories of a happier past. The ten-day exercise will let the Thai army pretend that it has a raison d’être beyond defending a failing feudal political order. To America, its traditional patron, the generals will signal that Thailand is happy to co-operate on military stuff, as long as America doesn’t witter on about pesky problems such as human rights or democracy.'

Quote

"We look forward to Thailand's re-emergence as a flourishing democracy because we need Thailand to be a strong and stable partner,"

Another go at Thai democracy, with all the baggage we've seen with that effort.....? Naaaa. As for a "strong and stable partner," a benevolent coup leader seems to be working out just fine for most of the population -- except for the seditionists, who have had their rioting thwarted. However, a managed democracy might be just the compromise.

 

The US, and its hard sell democracy push, has worn out its welcome in the real world. Good government, that's not necessarily in the US model, is all that should be hoped for.

18 minutes ago, JimGant said:

Another go at Thai democracy, with all the baggage we've seen with that effort.....? Naaaa. As for a "strong and stable partner," a benevolent coup leader seems to be working out just fine for most of the population -- except for the seditionists, who have had their rioting thwarted. However, a managed democracy might be just the compromise.

 

The US, and its hard sell democracy push, has worn out its welcome in the real world. Good government, that's not necessarily in the US model, is all that should be hoped for.

Define 'real world'.

Trump has an autocratic management style and is finding out how difficult to run it in an effective democratic system...

 

the system is working as designed with many checks and balances in place...there is pushback all over the place....

 

trump will have to adjust his policies or run the risk of losing seats at midterm...

 

dont like the electoral collage but understand why it was implemented...can't have the 3 most populous states controlling the election...I do get the representative angle but it is the only position that still remains 

 

 

 

Quote

Define 'real world'.

Well, aw shucks, that's the one we live in -- not the one the bleeding heart liberals would like it to be.

11 minutes ago, JimGant said:

Well, aw shucks, that's the one we live in -- not the one the bleeding heart liberals would like it to be.

I'm far from a 'bhl'.  But, the reality I live in still believes in “Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives” (democracy).

How do you like the Singaporean managed democracy model -- with its hint of authoritarianism? Yes, this government offends the Singaporean ivory tower crowd. But you can't argue with the results. "Government by the people?" Yeah, with restrictions on certain of those people to keep the train on the tracks. Sounds like a good model for Thailand.

 

I just find it annoying -- as an American -- that a 4-star Admiral had to stir the democracy issue once again. He's over here for military matters, but somehow got his marching orders from that bhl State Dept career foreign service officer, Daniel Russel, who apparently is still at his desk. Can't believe, had Mattis been aware of this, that the Admiral would have mentioned the political situation over here. 

 

Anyway, hopefully before the Trump mess explodes, some better realpolitik guidance will be implemented re US and Thailand.

3 minutes ago, JimGant said:

How do you like the Singaporean managed democracy model -- with its hint of authoritarianism? Yes, this government offends the Singaporean ivory tower crowd. But you can't argue with the results. "Government by the people?" Yeah, with restrictions on certain of those people to keep the train on the tracks. Sounds like a good model for Thailand.

 

I just find it annoying -- as an American -- that a 4-star Admiral had to stir the democracy issue once again. He's over here for military matters, but somehow got his marching orders from that bhl State Dept career foreign service officer, Daniel Russel, who apparently is still at his desk. Can't believe, had Mattis been aware of this, that the Admiral would have mentioned the political situation over here. 

 

Anyway, hopefully before the Trump mess explodes, some better realpolitik guidance will be implemented re US and Thailand.

Why are you so concerned about the junta's feelings?  They're getting well paid.

oh boy   fleets in port...

Personally not a great believer in Military chaps making political statements, but hey, that's just me.

Doctor G.
Which military chaps. US or Thai or both?!


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4 hours ago, JimGant said:

Another go at Thai democracy, with all the baggage we've seen with that effort.....? Naaaa. As for a "strong and stable partner," a benevolent coup leader seems to be working out just fine for most of the population -- except for the seditionists, who have had their rioting thwarted. However, a managed democracy might be just the compromise.

 

The US, and its hard sell democracy push, has worn out its welcome in the real world. Good government, that's not necessarily in the US model, is all that should be hoped for.

It's not working for anybody but the power elite.  It's crushing people.  You cannot commit sedition against a military takes over.  On the contrary sedition is using force, threats, imprisonment and the like to steal democracy from people-in this case 25 million people. 

Like trying to get them to eat Italian food! Ain't going to happen.


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