US Imposes Sanctions on Thailand Because of Coup
28 September 2006
The U.S. State Department has announced that it will withhold $24 million in assistance to Thailand in response to the military coup that overthrew the nation's civilian government last week.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Thursday that the sanctions are in accordance with U.S. laws restricting aid to countries that undergo military coups. He said the funds will affect military operations but not humanitarian assistance.
McCormack indicated the funding could be restored once a democratically elected government was reinstated.
On Wednesday, Thailand's ambassador to the United Nations told the general assembly said that her country will emerge from the coup as a stronger democracy. She said a new interim civilian government will be in place within days, and that one of its first tasks will be to do away with martial law
Following last week's coup, Thailand's military leaders declared martial law, suspended the 1997 constitution, banned political party meetings and restricted the news media.
Earlier Thursday, the head of Thailand's navy, Admiral Satirapan Keyanon confirmed that Thailand's military leadership has chosen an interim prime minister but he would only say that the choice was someone the public will find acceptable.
The military leaders intend to name the prime minister at the end of this week.
Meanwhile, officials say a roadside bomb Thursday wounded at least five soldiers when it exploded near a military vehicle in southern Narathiwat province.
The conflict in Thailand's mostly Muslim southern provinces has claimed more than 1,700 lives in the past two years. But, since last Tuesday's military coup, little violence has been reported throughout the country.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
