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Southeast Asia Bulletin International Security Program March 2008 SOUTHEAST ASIA BULLETIN Feature Article CSIS SOUTHEAST ASIA INITIATIVE THAI-U.S. RELATIONS IN THE The CSIS Southeast Asia Initiative is a project of the International Security Pro- REGIONAL CONTEXT gram, Asia Group. CSIS launched the ini- tiative in January 2008 to provide a venue Krit Garnjana-Goonchorn for greater focus, examination, and analysis Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United States of Southeast Asian affairs within Washing- .......................................................................... ton’s policy community. The initiative will include regular roundtables, conferences, Any study of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Thai- studies, and forums to spotlight develop- land, or any country for that matter, should be viewed in the context of the ments in the region. CSIS will also seek to regional setting. For Thailand, that regional setting is Southeast Asia or, more partner with other interested organizations specifically, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). At the and individuals within and outside Wash- same time, account should be taken of circumstances within Thailand itself ington to maximize the flow of information, that have undoubtedly influenced the course of its relationship with the United analysis, and outreach on Southeast Asian States from time to time, just as changes in the United States’ world view, and affairs in the United States. especially its view of Southeast Asia, have played a part in the process. An important component of the initiative will be the monthly Southeast Asia Bul- The United States naturally has its own priorities with regard to its relations letin, which will provide a timely overview with the full range of countries reflected in its foreign policy. These priorities of key developments, events, and facts are necessarily driven by perceptions of its national interests, which in them- about the region, and offer a forum for selves are a function of diverse variables and changing circumstances, both short essays by official and unofficial com- domestic and foreign. During the Cold War and the age of East-West ideologi- mentators on regional affairs. cal differences, Southeast Asia ranked high in the priorities of U.S. foreign Derek Mitchell, director, Southeast Asia policy. The region was then in the front line of the Cold War. The Vietnam Initiative, and Brian Harding, research War consumed U.S. resources and demanded undivided attention, just as the associate, welcome your feedback on the Iraq War is doing in the Middle East today. Southeast Asia Bulletin at dmitchell@csis. org and [email protected] respectively. Thailand was a key factor in the region and a focus of U.S. attention at the time. Then the Cold War ended and priorities shifted. Conflicts in the Middle East, the scourge of terrorism, and post-9/11 trauma became the overwhelm- ing focus of U.S. foreign policy. In the recent past, U.S. interests and engage- SOUTHEAST ASIA POLICY IN FOCUS ment in Southeast Asia have found themselves largely confined to the back burners. The White House announced on February 25 the nomination of Scot A. Marciel to be Given the recent developments in the geopolitical landscape in Asia, notably the first ambassador for ASEAN affairs. the rapid emergence of India in South Asia and the rise of China in East Asia, Marciel, currently deputy assistant secre- however, the United States might once again seek to reengage with the region, tary of state for Southeast Asia, will remain or risk being left tangled in a web of missed opportunities. A channel through deputy assistant secretary and concurrently which the United States can effortlessly revitalize its interaction with the re- serve as ambassador. The nomination is in gion is ASEAN, which has always remained open to U.S. engagement. It is a accordance with the U.S. Senate’s United States Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs Act region that has been broadly recognized for its vital strategic importance, due of September 2007, sponsored by Senator to its location and economic strength—actual and potential—and ASEAN is Richard Lugar, which called for an ambas- well placed to forge a bridge among the emerging powers in the region and a sador for ASEAN affairs to be named. link between the two oceans. (continued on pg 2) 1800 k street nw, washington dc 20006 | p. 202.887.0200 | f. 202.775.3199 | www.csis.org/isp 2 | Southeast Asia Bulletin With the recent completion of the ASEAN Charter, stipu- tunity to reinvigorate the partnership. Having overcome a lating broader and deeper integration, ASEAN has come of year-long, painstaking process of rebuilding democracy, age and is eager to exert its due role in regional affairs and, Thailand has unquestionably demonstrated its commitment where appropriate, beyond. For the United States, ASEAN to democratic rule. The United States for its part should use presents a mechanism through which it can play a part as a this opportunity to reaffirm its commitment of friendship and driving force for peace and dynamic change in the region. to reengage itself fully to cooperate with Thailand. It should Even here, there is hardly a need to cast our sights beyond also look forward to strengthening this relationship, not only working toward fuller realization of the potential of the ex- with Thailand, but also with the region as a whole. There is isting mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and much room for further cooperation with ASEAN in trade, participation in the new and more inclusive East Asia Dia- education, science and technology, culture, etc., and for the logue, which has ASEAN at its core. United States to establish a firm foothold in the region. As a key player in ASEAN, and a staunch ally of the United As the oldest friend of the United States in Asia, Thailand States, Thailand stands as a natural partner to strengthen U.S. values our affinity and alliance, and is committed to a long- engagement with the region. Thailand has always been at the term, mutually beneficial relationship. However, as a coun- center of ASEAN’s development and is a positive force in the try caught up in a fast-changing geopolitical landscape, process of change and development in the region. There was Thailand, as has historically always been the case, must re- hardly ever a time that Thailand was left out of the picture on main open to engagement and interaction with a spectrum major developments. ASEAN itself was born 40 years ago in of countries. Where the United States fits in that spectrum Thailand. In the regional context, Thailand has always played depends on its own actions. These actions should, how- an instrumental role in preserving security and stability in the ever, not merely be a gesture of goodwill, but they must region, as well as promoting economic growth, especially come from the realization—or indeed, cold strategic calcu- among the mainland countries of ASEAN. Thailand has also lation—of the United States’ own interests in Thailand and been a strong proponent for freedom and democracy. On the Southeast Asia. security side, Thailand has been an active partner with the 1 United States and the international community in the wars on This reference is to Surin Pitsuwan, whose essay on the terrorism, narcotics, and human trafficking. Later this year, future of ASEAN was featured in the inaugural issue of Thailand will be assuming the chairmanship of ASEAN from this newsletter last month. His essay is available here: Singapore, and it is a happy coincidence that a consummate https://www.csis.org/component/option,com¬¬_csis_pubs/ diplomat from Thailand has recently assumed the position of task,view/id,4327/type,3/ the new ASEAN secretary-general.1 Each year Thailand also hosts the Cobra Gold exercise, which has become a showcase of joint military strength in SOUTHEasT Asia TimELINE OF EVENTS Asia. It is attended each year by more and more countries in Feb. 5, 2008: Nuon Chea, brother No. 2 under Pol Pot’s the region, including China and Japan. The exercise, in which Khmer Rouge, appears in court for the first time. He is the United States plays a leading role, reflects the evolving the most senior surviving member of the regime. nature of relationships in the region and has, in turn, adapted itself to remain relevant to present day changes. Feb. 5, 2008: The Philippine Parliament ousts its speak- er, Jose de Venecia, after he accuses President Gloria Another example where Thailand enabled positive U.S. en- Arroyo and her family of corruption. gagement in the region was in the aftermath of the tsunami Feb. 5, 2008: The United States unveils a new round of that struck Thailand and the surrounding coastal countries sanctions against Burma, this time targeting seven new at the end of 2004. Thailand provided facilities at the U- individuals and their companies. See http://www.treas. Tapao Naval Base for the United States to stage rescue and gov/press/releases/hp807.htm. relief operations in the affected areas. This far-reaching ef- fort, achieved by the United States through its partnership Feb. 7, 2008: A new Australia-Indonesia security pact, with Thailand, helped turn around the perceived tide of anti- known as the Lombok Treaty, comes into force. It re- American sentiment in Muslim countries of Southeast Asia. places a prior treaty annulled by Indonesia after Australia supported East Timor’s independence. The Treaty covers As Thailand and the United States celebrate the 175th an- 10 areas including cooperation on defense, counterter- niversary of bilateral relations this year, it is a good oppor- 1800 k street nw, washington dc 20006 | p. 202.887.0200 | f. 202.775.3199 | www.csis.org/isp Southeast Asia Bulletin | 3 rorism, maritime security, emergency preparedness, and Feb.
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