Cobra Gold puts the US in a pickle

Yet there is some precedent for the US to look the other way when democracy isn’t likely. Both President Bush and Vice President Cheney have gone out of their way to praise President (and General) Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan for his war against terror efforts. And just this week, the new US Secretary of Defense, Mr Robert Gates, made a last minute change to his schedule to visit President Musharraf in Pakistan to again show US support and to discuss the war against terror.

Musharraf took power in Pakistan on October 12, 1999 after a coup d’etat ousted Nawaz Sharif, the democratically elected Prime Minister of Pakistan. Musharraf assumed for himself the title of President on June 20, 2001. Each year Musharraf says he is just a few years away from restoring democracy.

Before the coup last September, Thailand was one of five countries in the Pacific region with which the US had a functioning security alliance. The other four countries are Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and the Republic of the Philippines. Thailand and the US had an extensive bilateral military exercise program.

Kavi Chongkittavorn, the executive editor of Bangkok’s leading English language newspaper, the nation, wrote for the February 12, 2007 edition:

The coup’s aftermath and the latest Thai decision to produce copycat licensed drugs along with subsequent negotiated compromises, not to mention the unfinished Free Trade Agreement, have already turned off some Washington decision makers. They are the same people who follow Thailand’s abuse of Karen and Hmong refugees and the country’s attempt to forcibly repatriate them. Thaksin Shinawatra’s hiring of James Baker’s law firm to lobby the Congress and the US government to advocate for his return to power will also increase anti-American sentiment over here.

In the coming days the US has a critical decision. It must go ahead with Cobra Gold or a scaled down co-operative military event with Thailand. Or it can punish Thailand by cancelling the event; which may push Thailand further into China’s sphere of influence.

Wantanee in Thailand contributed to this report.