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Joint Statement
between
President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra
Washington D.C. ,
19 September 2005
President George W.
Bush and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra met today to reaffirm the strength of
the U.S.-Thai alliance and the importance of bilateral cooperation in regional
and global affairs. Both leaders recognized the special and enduring bonds
between the two countries as well as between the American and Thai people,
demonstrated most recently by the close cooperation following last December’s
devastating tsunami and last month’s Hurricane Katrina. President Bush expressed
his admiration for the resilience and determination of the Thai people and
government in rebuilding affected areas, and pledged continued U.S. assistance.
The President noted Thailand’s effort to mobilize support for an establishment
of a regional tsunami early warning system.
Prime Minister Thaksin once
again expressed his profound condolences for American casualties and the
devastation from Hurricane Katrina. President Bush expressed his appreciation
for His Majesty the King of Thailand’s donations for the affected people from
Hurricane Katrina, and for Thailand’s dispatch of emergency relief
supplies.
The two leaders welcomed the expanding and deepening security
cooperation that has followed Thailand’s designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally,
and discussed plans to inaugurate a senior-level bilateral dialogue on strategic
and security issues in Bangkok this fall. They also directed their officials to
jointly work on a comprehensive Plan of Action covering all major areas of
cooperation, aiming to serve as a roadmap to maximize the benefits arising from
close and productive US-Thai relations. In that context, the two leaders
emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation to support economic and
social development in countries where both the U.S. and Thailand are
working.
The two leaders discussed the importance of stepping up efforts
to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and pledged to
explore cooperation in the Proliferation Security Initiative. The President
noted the outstanding cooperation by U.S. and Thai military forces in this
year’s Cobra Gold joint exercises.
Both leaders expressed concern over
current trends in Myanmar. Stressing their shared objectives of promoting
democracy and national reconciliation in Myanmar, both sides agreed to have
closer consultations on this matter. The two leaders noted that they had called
for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other jailed political
activists when they met in 2003 and reiterated that this step was necessary for
a credible process of political dialogue for all parties.
Prime Minister
Thaksin briefed President Bush on Bangkok’s efforts to deal with the violence in
southern Thailand while preserving the democratic freedom that has made Thailand
a leader in Southeast Asia. The President commended the Prime Minister’s
creation of a National Reconciliation Commission aimed at developing a
broad-based approach to the South that combines security, equitable development,
and protection for basic rights.
The two leaders agreed to make vigorous
efforts to reach conclusion on the U.S. - Thai Free Trade Agreement (FTA) next
year. They expressed satisfaction with the fourth round of talks held in Montana
in July, and looked forward to the 5th round next week in Hawaii. President Bush
and Prime Minister Thaksin agreed that the FTA must be beneficial to the people
of both countries, comprehensive in its mandate, and address issues of
importance to both sides.
The two leaders welcomed the signing of an Air
Transport Agreement between the two countries which would provide substantial
benefits to travelers, businesses and further expand bilateral economic linkages
.
As the coordinator for ASEAN dialogue with the United States, Thailand
plays a key role in U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia. President Bush and Prime
Minister Thaksin discussed regional and development issues, and ways to enhance
U.S.-Thai cooperation in regional forums, particularly the ASEAN Regional Forum
and the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conferences, and the vital nexus of economic,
trade, and security issues at APEC. President Bush noted that he was looking
forward to meeting jointly with ASEAN members of APEC at the Leaders’ Meeting in
Busan this November. The two leaders also expressed their support for the Aceh
peace deal underway in Indonesia and praised a serious effort of both sides in
achieving such a breakthrough.
Both leaders underscored the
importance of combating infectious diseases and the urgency of addressing avian
flu in particular. President Bush applauded Prime Minister Thaksin’s leadership
in responding to outbreaks in his country. The two leaders agreed on the
critical importance of transparency, close monitoring, and cooperation across
sectors and with international health organizations by all countries. They
pledged to intensify cooperation on global efforts to respond to this critical
emerging issue.
President Bush and Prime Minister Thaksin agreed on the
potential for even greater coordination on areas of mutual concern and
overlapping interest, and looked forward to meeting again in November at
APEC.
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20 September 2005
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