US
Ambassador Kristie Kenney talks to Nattha Komolvadhin from ThaiPBS on a series
of outstanding topics related to Thai-US relations. Here are some excerpts:
It
has been three weeks since the US issued a warning of a possible terrorist
threat in Thailand, and you have just returned from America. I wonder if you
have a timeframe to withdraw it?
Our advice to American citizens was put out,
like you said, three weeks ago based on some very serious and important
information. That advice is still very sound advice, but let me make it clear,
we have never said that Americans should not travel to Thailand. Americans
travel here all the time and I have high-level visitors and friends and family
coming very soon.
I don't think it will have an impact on
tourism because, as I said, we did not say do not come to Thailand, just the opposite--we
have high-level visitors and I've just finished inviting family and friends to
come here. I visited the airport on Monday and it was full of Americans coming
to Thailand. This is a big tourist season and we encourage visitors of all
kind.
On
what condition do you think this warning can be withdrawn?
Our advice is actually good forever because
our advice is very prudent advice to any traveller, whether they go to Thailand
or elsewhere
So,
there is no timeframe yet to withdraw it?
There is no timeframe because it is good and
sensible advice in today's world for travellers.
Even
though Israel and China have decided to withdraw the warning, it has had no
effect on the US embassy?
This is our own choice, our advice is for
American citizens and again, we have never said don't come to Thailand. Quite
the opposite, less than a week after we issued it, Senator [John] McCain
himself came without any hesitation.
As
for the government appointing Dr Nalinee Taweesin as a minister even though she
is blacklisted in the US for several years, will that affect US-Thai relations?
Thailand, of course, can name anyone they wish
in the government--that's a Thai issue. She is on a restricted list with the
United States' Finance Ministry, our Treasury Department, but I feel very
comfortable with our relations with Thailand. That will be strong and getting
stronger, regardless of one person. This is a huge government and a huge
country and we will work with them.
If
she applies for a visa to enter the US, will she be allowed?
I think the easiest thing to do is to refer
you to our Treasury Department and the Finance Ministry regulations rather than
speculating.
Ambassador
Derek Mitchell's recent stop in Thailand before he went to Burma, and given
that the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has just visited Burma, what's
Thailand's place in the relations between the US and Burma?
Thailand's place is very much by our side. We
have been consulting closely with Thailand and Thailand knows Burma better than
we ever will, and as you know Secretary Clinton came here to discuss Burma with
the finance minister and the PM before she went to Burma.
Senator McCain came here first then to Burma.
We have been really working very closely with Thailand - hearing your views,
your thoughts and both of us together encouraging Burma. The PM was, of course,
just there and met Aung San Suu Kyi. And for all of us, we are trying to
encourage them forward…it is an exciting time.
Does
the US have a timeframe to lift sanctions against of Burma, by the end of this
year?
We don't have a timeframe. What we've said all
along is as they progress, every time they move forward, we will move forward
with them and, so obviously, we have to view things step by step.
News Desk
The Nation
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