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US suspends aid to Thailand
28/09/2006 20:29 - (SA)
Washington - The United States said on
Thursday it had suspended nearly $24m in aid to Thailand
because of its military coup.
"In response to the military coup ... in Thailand, the
United States has suspended almost $24m of assistance to
the Thai government," state department spokesperson Sean McCormack
told reporters.
He said the action had been taken in accordance with US laws
restricting aid to countries that undergo military coups.
McCormack indicated the assistance would be restored once Thailand - a
US treaty ally - reinstated a democratically elected
government.
McCormack said the suspended funds affected military
training, peacekeeping operations and arms purchases. Other
funding, for humanitarian purposes, would continue, he said.
US officials have said the coup was a "very sad
development" for Thai democracy and a step backwards for the
country.
Thailand's military looks set to loom large over an interim
civilian government despite pledging it would step back two
weeks after ousting Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a
bloodless coup.
- Reuters
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