BANGKOK, 29 March 2004 — Thailand said yesterday it would take action to correct a US Republican survey which described it and the Philippines as countries which aid and harbor terrorists.
The question targeting two of the United States’ strongest allies in Asia was included in the National Republican Congressional Committee’s “Ask America 2004” policy survey, one of the party’s fund-raising initiatives.
It said: “Should America broaden the war on terrorism into other countries that harbor and aid terrorists such as Thailand, Syria, Somalia, the Philippines etc?”
Foreign Ministry spokesman Sihasak Phuangketkeow said it was likely that the slur was a misunderstanding, but that the Thai Embassy in Washington would check into the survey and make sure it was corrected.
“If it is true (that they accused Thailand of aiding terrorists), we need to make an urgent explanation to let them know the truth,” he said.
However, he said the incident would not affect relations with the United States as the question was posed by the party, rather than by the ruling administration of President George W. Bush.
Government spokesman Jakrapob Penkair said the slur was likely a result of politicking during an election year.
“This is an election year (in the United States),” he said. “Thailand decides and sets policies by itself.”
Both Thailand and the Philippines have problems with Muslim militants but both countries are generally applauded for their anti-terrorism activities.
Thailand stayed neutral in the US-led invasion of Iraq but since then has sent military contingents to assist in the rebuilding of the nation.
Asia’s most wanted man, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) operations chief Hambali, was captured in a joint Thai-US operation in the central city of Ayutthaya last year, drawing plaudits from Washington.
The Philippines is also a staunch supporter of the US-led global war on terrorism and has contributed medical and engineering personnel to the reconstruction efforts in Iraq.
Last week US Secretary of State Colin Powell thanked the Philippines for its cooperation in the global terror war including its battle against Abu Sayyaf guerrillas in the country’s troubled south.
Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra postponed his scheduled March 29 to April 3 visits to Germany and Hungary due to continuing violence in southern Thailand, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.
After meeting national security officials, Thaksin decided to remain in Thailand and supervise policy decisions concerning the escalating violence in the south, Foreign Ministry spokesman Sihasak Phuangketkeow said in a statement.
More than 50 government officials, including police and soldiers, have been killed in Thailand’s three southernmost provinces this year.
The violence has been blamed on Muslim separatist groups.
Thailand imposed martial law in the provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala after an attack on an army base left four soldiers dead in early January.
