EBO “
News Summary:
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1. US Senators turn up heat on
2. Thai PM brushes off criticism from US
senators
3.
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US Senators turn up heat on
by Stephen Collinson
turning up the heat on
democrats from military-rule
long-time US ally.
Rising opposition in Congress to Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's stance
towards
prompted some Senators to threaten
And criticism is expected to mount as
President George W. Bush prepares to
travel to
October, congressional sources said.
Arizona Senator John McCain is leading the
charge, after firing off a
letter to Thaksin, dated August 1.
"As a friend of
actions by Thai authorities along your border
with
letter, obtained by AFP.
He cited "credible, first-hand
reports" that the Thai government had taken
steps to curtail activities of
The reports also suggested the Thais were
hampering assistance to refugees
from
military regime in
He also alleged that
activists on its territory, and imposed pressure on
ethnic Karen, Karenni, and
Shan groups to sign peace agreements with
the
McCain said several humanitarian
organisations had reported that Thai
authorities had tried to restrict food and medicine
supplies to ethnic
refugees fleeing oppression within
"
"We are fellow democracies, and our
cooperation in many areas remains strong.
"But the actions of Thai authorities
against Burmese refugees, political
exiles and ethnic groups raises serious
questions about your government's
commitment to the values that serve as the
underpinning of any democracy."
of dissident groups, arrested activists and
prepared a plan to repatriate
The criticism comes two months after
Thaksin visited Bush at the White
House -- for talks both men used to
express concern over
democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, arrested on May
30.
But McCain's Republican colleague Mitch
McConnell warned last month in a
Senate floor speech that
Nobel laureate.
"The Thai Prime Minister should have
departed the
understanding that protection of freedom in
Congress and the administration," he
said.
"Unfortunately, I don't think he got
the message," said McConnell, who has
tried to pile pressure on both
in recent months.
In the same debate, McCain, who has
maintained an interest in Southeast
from our ally
Their comments were endorsed by fellow
Republican Sam Brownback, another
key voice on
a fellow member of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations.
The plan contains steps intended to secure
the release of Aung San Suu Kyi
and movement towards political reform.
But Thaksin's opponents here have blasted
the roadmap as a ruse to ease
fierce international pressure on the junta over
the issue.
So far, however, the
against
support.
"We welcome all efforts by the Thai
government to secure the prompt release
of Aung San Suu Kyi and support democractic change in
Department official said on condition of
anonymity Tuesday.
That's not enough for
threat to
bills.
The stipulation, if passed into law, would
require the
State to certify that
action to sanction" the regime in
humanitarian assistance to people in
forcibly repatriating refugees.
though low-level, still numbered 10.75 million
dollars, mainly contained in
anti-drugs aid, military training programs and
development aid.
----------------------------------
Thai PM brushes off criticism from
US senators
brushed off accusations from US senators that
democrats from
Thaksin said he had not received any
letter but when told of its contents,
insisted
repressive military regime.
"We are doing our best. What do you
want us to do? Give them big mansions
to live in?" he said. "As we are
an ally, not a subordinate, he (McCain)
should advise, rather than order."
Opposition in the US Congress to Thaksin's
stance towards
in
to
The stipulation, if passed into law, would
require the
State to certify that
action to sanction" the
assistance to people in
repatriating refugees.
worth 10.75 million dollars, mainly contained
in anti-drugs aid, military
training programs and development aid.
Thaksin said
"We do not want monetary assistance.
not need to ask for any monetary
assistance," he said, adding that government
lottery profits would cover that amount of money
in a short period.
The criticism from the senators comes two
months after Thaksin visited
President George W. Bush at the White
House -- for talks both men used to
express concern over
arrested on May 30.
"I and President Bush understand each
other," Thaksin said.
"There might be some senators that
the government cannot control so they
have come out to criticise their
government."
Condemnation from the senators is expected
to mount as Bush prepares to
travel to
October, congressional sources have said.
-----------------------------------
Democratic Voice of
50 tanks that the SPDC purchased from
inside the Burmese army told DVB that the Type
72 tanks were said to be
purchased for the armored
personnel division. All 52 tanks are said to be on
their way to Ba Htoo
Army facility in
planned for early August. Orders have been given
to the armored personnel
of Regiments 505, 606, 707, 808, 909, 903,
and 905 to attend this training.
be the first time
beefs up its armed forces equipment from neighboring
###
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