Appointment of new PM's minister is questionable

Newly appointed Nalinee Taveesin should do her utmost to clear her name after it was revealed that she was blacklisted for her facilitation of a number of business deals on behalf of abhorred Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s wife Grace. 

The allegation is serious. Nalinee is named on the US Treasury’s Specially Designated National List under Executive Order 13469, “Blocking Property of Additional Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Zimbabwe”. Her inclusion on the blacklist was authorised by then US President George W Bush.

In fact, even if Nalinee was not a government minister, she should not let this issue linger on, because it has affected her reputation. The charge should weigh heavily on her because, as Washington has made clear in a statement, the designation is imposed upon people the US deems to have engaged in activities that undermine the democratic process in Zimbabwe, or have engaged in activities to facilitate public corruption among senior officials in Zimbabwe.

The allegation does not tarnish the reputation of Nalinee alone, but also that of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her entire government. Yingluck has often said that her administration places significance on the democratic process and that it was elected by a majority of voters. 

Mugabe’s regime is subject to international sanctions because of massive corruption and violence against the opposition. Having a Thai minister involved with this regime in any way can only taint the reputation of the Yingluck government.

The US Treasury Department alleges that Nalinee is “secretly supporting the kleptocratic practices of one of Africa’s most corrupt regimes”. According to the Treasury Department, Nalinee facilitated a number of financial, real estate and gem-related transactions on behalf of Grace Mugabe, Gideon Gono and a number of other Zimbabwean Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs).

As a result of this, it isn’t clear how Nalinee will be able to fulfil her role as PM’s Office Minister, especially in the context of diplomatic relations with the US. The PM’s Office minister is assigned to assist the prime minister in administration work. Therefore, Nalinee will certainly have to deal with some international affairs, in whatever context, in her capacity as the minister. 

It remains to be seen how Nalinee will be able to carry out her duties while she is still sanctioned by Washington. The US Treasury Department’s action requires the freezing of any assets within US jurisdiction belonging to blacklisted individuals or entities. Additionally, American citizens are prohibited from conducting financial or commercial transactions with people subject to the designation list, including Nalinee.

PM Yingluck has said the appointment of Nalinee is constitutional according to Thai law. But the public perception of the minister is also important because that person will represent the government. Nalinee has been branded as one of the “Mugabe regime’s cronies”. 

What Nalinee has said so far is that the designation was caused by a misunderstanding on the part of the US government – which is not sufficient to clarify the matter.

Mugabe is accused of leading Zimbabwe – one of Africa’s most troubled nations – through violence and intimidation. The US placed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2003 because of the regime’s undemocratic practices. The international view of Mugabe is so low that Robert Amsterdam, the lawyer for fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, reportedly tries to compare former Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva with Mugabe, because of Abhisit’s alleged role in the bloody crackdown against red-shirt protesters. The irony is that Thaksin’s sister has now assigned Nalinee to a government post.

Nalinee’s supporters say that the US blacklist is a small matter. But the fate of Narong Wongwan, who was also on a US blacklist, suggests otherwise. Clearing her name is the only way for Nalinee to enjoy a dignified path as a Thai minister. In addition, clarification would restore her personal reputation, which has been severely tainted. What Nalinee has to do is to explain what happened. The public deserves to know the truth.