US : a "comeback" in Asia

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

US returning to Asia for the long haul : Clinton

By The Nation
Published on July 23, 2009

Lauds Thai democracy despite 'spicy' politics; evades torture chamber issue

Stressing the United States' commitment to a "comeback" in Asia, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday expressed confidence in Thailand's democracy, condemned Burma's military and issued another tough warning for Iran.

In an exclusive interview with Nation Group editor-in-chief Suthichai Yoon and newscaster Veenarat Laohapakakul, Clinton said the long-term relationship gave Washington a "broad understanding of Thailand".

"It's both the Land of Smiles and a place that has a vibrant democracy," she said during the interview, which was aired on Modernine last night.

"Perhaps sometimes its politics is as spicy as its food. [And despite issues Thais still have to work out], we have great confidence in the vibrancy of your democracy and the stability of your country."

She was elusive, however, on one of the hottest bilateral issues now: the alleged torture of suspected foreign terrorists by US authorities on Thai soil when George W Bush was president and Thaksin Shinawatra was Thailand's prime minister.

"I'm not going to talk about the past; we have moved beyond that. Our government is committed to open, internationally accepted norms that we intend to follow," she said.

Asked whether such a secret torture chamber did exist, she said: "Well, I can't talk about any of that ... By not talking about it, I'm following long-term advice: you don't talk about intelligence. So my not talking about it doesn't mean yes, it doesn't mean no, it means we don't talk about it [laughs]."

The former first lady arrived in Thailand with a strong message: the US was ready to re-engage Asia after relations seemed to dip over the years.

Asked about the main difference between Bush's and Barack Obama's policies on Asia, she said: "Hopefully, the Obama administration will demonstrate that America is back and that we are pursuing our foreign policy in accordance with our values and our interests, with high standards.

"We want people in Asia - not just governments, but people - to know that the US is in it for the long haul. We have been friends with countries like Thailand, and we are trying to broaden and deepen our relationship with countries like China ... I believe there's a great commitment to continuing to push forward in Asia."

She condemned the Burmese junta, saying while kicking Burma out of the grouping was up to Asean, such an action might be an "appropriate policy change to consider".

Asked if she was concerned about the ties between North Korea and Burma, Clinton said she and seniorAsean officials were planning to explore the issue at the security conference in Phuket. Regarding North Korea itself, she said its weapons programme was a bigger threat to US allies than to the US itself.

On Iran, she suggested the bloody election-related riots had further complicated things, but stressed that President Obama had always said the US would be willing to have direct talks with Tehran.

"We will still hold the door open, but we have also made it clear that we will take actions - as I've said time and time again, crippling actions," she said.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/07/23/politics/politics_30108155.php