Local News
Clinton arrives in Thailand
Published: 21/07/2009 at 05:32 PM
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday for a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva before attending the Asean meetings in Phuket.
The two were expected to discuss security, climate change and regional cooperation.
Mr Abhisit, speaking before meeting Mrs Clinton, said the meeting was aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries, and he would discuss economic cooperation with her because the US played a crucial role as investor and trading partner.
He would not discuss the so-called secret prison which according to a Washington Post newspaper report was where the CIA interrogated and tortured terrorists captured in Pakistan and taken to Thailand in 2002.
Mr Abhisit said the issue did not need to be addressed because it was not a current matter.
Thailand had clear policies when it came to terrorism, and questions about the reported secret facility should be directed at the people who were in government at the time, Mr Abhisit said.
Mrs Clinton will fly to Phuket on Wednesday for talks with Asean members and to attend the Asean Regional Forum (ARF).
The ARF, Asia's main annual security event, on Thursday brings together foreign ministers from the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and their main Asian and non-Asian allies such as the United States, the European Union and Russia.
Mrs Clinton is scheduled to sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, a loose agreement on the terms of engagement in the region, on Wednesday, a turnabout from the previous administration, which had refused to sign the treaty.
The EU is expected to become party to the treaty later this year.
Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific Curt Campbell on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the opposition Puea Thai Party. He was accompanied by US ambassador to Thailand Eric G John.
They were received by party leader Yongyuth Wichaidit, deputy leaders Plodprasop Surassawadi and Panpree Pahithanuparp, foreign affairs office chief Pitthaya Pukkaman, Yingluck Shinawatra, younger sister of former prime minister Thaksin, former Thai Rak Thai executive Jaturon Chaisaeng, and former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama.
Prior to his visit to Puea Thai, Mr Campbell visited Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban at Government House on Tuesday morning.
He assured the Puea Thai Party of Washington's commitment to strong relations with Thailand.
Mr Plodprasop told a news conference that they did not talk about Thaksin or any other particular person, but discussed the general situation in Thailand.
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