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Skriven 2005-09-19 23:33:02 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0509193) for Mon, 2005 Sep 19
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Joint Statement Between President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 19, 2005

Joint Statement Between President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra



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 after
Hurricane Katrina. President Bush expressed his admiration for the
resilience and determination of the Thai people and government in
rebuilding areas affected by the tsunami 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 people affected by 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 work together 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 U.S.-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 Burma. Stressing
their shared objectives of promoting democracy and national reconciliation
in Burma, 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 and comprehensive in its mandate, and it must address issues of
importance to both sides.

The two leaders welcomed the signing of an Air Transport Agreement between
the two countries that would provide substantial benefits to travelers and
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, as well as 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 agreement underway in Indonesia
and praised the serious efforts 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 in the region. 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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