Rethink and reconsider

Americans are law-abiding citizens. Americans take pride in their country’s achievements within a democratic setting.

The United States advocates, exports and preaches about democracy and the rule of law. It even occasionally goes to wars to change societies. It wants to transform authoritarian regimes into democratic ones. It even gives marks, makes judgements and reprimands countries deviating from democratic ways.

American laws extend beyond its borders and shores. Criminals and the accused fleeing abroad are not beyond the reach of US judicial arms. Countries normally render cooperation to the US requests for extraditions.

We around the world respect the American people and society for their achievements, for their idealism and for their earnestness and goodwill to have others share and practice democracy and the rule of law.

But the Obama administration seems to forget who they are, what citizens and what country do they represent. Does the Obama administration know that they are acting and behaving in contravention to the core values of American society, that they are hurting the American people with their open arms welcoming the most well-known criminal fugitive from Thailand, which has been a long-term ally of the United States, the citizens of which share the same democratic beliefs and ideals as the American people.

The decision of the Obama administration to allow the said fugitive to re-enter the US has bewildered all. It is like a betrayal of the trust and friendship and goodwill between the Thai and American people. Such an act has certainly not occurred because of ignorance and naivety on the part of the Obama administration but because of the fact that it does not act as it should.

The government of the people, by the people and for the people seems to elude the Obama administration. 

What are the reasons? Could it be that the Obama administration has succumbed to the pressure of corporate interests, whether energy or financial capital, whose motives are profit, takeovers and control, and not the question of decency, right and wrong and democracy.

The Obama administration could have denied a visa and entry to the infamous fugitive. It has its immigration law and related rules and regulations. The word turpitude comes to mind. Many Thais without criminal records have been denied visas at the US Embassy and entry at US airports. Explanations have not been given; the Thai government has not been asked for opinions or views.

The Obama administration explains that the Yingluck government has not asked for extradition, so it has no need to act. But why did it allow Thaksin to re-enter the United States in the first place? Is it because the preacher of democracy and the rule of law has somehow fallen victim to corporate charm?

An extradition treaty needs two to tango, but refusal of visa issuance and entry is a sovereign right and a unilateral decision based on laws.

We retain the hope that the Obama administration is still noble and great. We hope it will re-look into the whole matter.

Back to Thailand, the duty of the government is to respect law, to honour judicial decisions. Deviation from duty, from observation of the law, is a criminal act. 

 

Kasit Piromya is a former foreign minister of Thailand.