Defence pact with US 'only reaffirms ties'

The 2012 Joint Vision Statement for the Thai-US Defence Alliance, to be signed during the visit of US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta today, posed no legal difficulties in terms of the Constitution and would have no impact on strategic ties with China, Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat said.
The joint statement, to be signed by the two ministers, would simply reaffirm the Thai-US strategic partnership and military cooperation between the two countries, he said. “It will not create anything special or privileges between the two,” Sukampol told reporters.
The Thai-US defence strategy for the 21st century would be strengthened with an emphasis on cooperation on all kinds of defence activities at all levels.
Thailand and the US have been military allies for more than half a century. The Kingdom is currently a major non-Nato ally of the US.
Under the vision, the two countries would continue their security partnership in the Southeast Asia region. They would seek to boost cooperation in responding to new threats in the region, according to a copy of the statement seen by The Nation.
The two countries would support and enhance stability in the Asia-Pacific and nearby regions, the document said.
On bilateral cooperation, the US would help develop Thai military capabilities and modernise the Thai armed forces by supporting training and education as well as supplying new equipment, the statement said.
The statement does not require parliamentary approval under Article 190 of the Constitution, according to Sukampol.
Mongkolkit Suksintharanond, a member of the People’s Network to Defend the Country, yesterday lodged a petition with the Ombudsman against the Cabinet’s decision to allow the signing of the joint vision statement without Parliament’s approval. The decision was unconstitutional, he said.
Article 190 of the Constitution requires any treaty whose content affects the nation’s territory or requires adjustments to internal laws, or has a serious impact on the society and economy of the country, to be approved by Parliament before signing.
“This statement is a document for military cooperation, nothing related to territory,” Sukampol said.
The legal aspects of the statement also appeared to worry academics, who raised concerns that the cooperation with the US might affect relations with Beijing, as Washington wanted to use the cooperation with Thailand to contain China.
“Academics in our country have a very narrow perspective,” Sukampol said. “If we look at the matter in that way, we would not be able to cooperate with any country.”
Thailand was open to similar cooperation with China if Beijing wanted it, he said. “Indeed, China has made clear that it has no worries about the joint statement,” Sukampol said.
The joint vision statement introduced no new element into military cooperation between Thailand and the US, he said. Joint exercises such as Cobra Gold would continue, he said. The statement provided no privileges in return for access to US weaponry, he said.
The US has cooperation with many countries in Asia, not only Thailand, he said. “All Asian countries are glad to see the US increase engagement with this region. We want to have more cooperation with the US but we don’t have a policy to contain China,” Sukampol said. “We don’t have such selfish and shallow ideas.”
However, the minister said his government was well aware of the situation in the region and walked a fine line to balance the two rival powers. Thailand made very careful moves when it needed to engage with the two nations.
“We have many friends and have equal relations with all of them. We give equal importance to both China and the US,” Sukampol said.
 
Vision statement
- Thailand is a Major Non-Nato Ally of the US.
- The vision for the 21st century is to strengthen the defence alliance.
- The countries will be partners in responding to new security threats in Southeast Asia.
- Support and enhance stability in Asia-Pacific.
- US to help develop and modernise the Thai military.