Phutham denies Uyghurs issue led to him skipping trip to US
DEPUTY Prime Minister/Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai denied he is not part of the team still to visit US for the postponed tariff talks due to Thailand having deported 40 Uyghurs back to China stating that he has not received a letter banning his entry, Amarin TV said today (Apr. 23).
Asked about Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa also not going to US for these negotiations, Phumtham replied that there is no conflict about who goes and who does not with the government negotiating for the best benefit of the country.
Even though security agencies are not going, if US raises a proposal during these talks the negotiating team could contact him and he would proceed immediately.
“As for the reason for the postponement, this is unimportant. When the country of origin requests a postponement, there is no need for us to be anxious about it. We just have to prepare as best we can,” he said.
The army has surveyed how much weapons Thailand has purchased from US but this was not included in the trade balance and has to be discussed, he said, adding there are also other details to be sorted out.
Asked whether US will pressure Thailand to buy a squadron of Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 jet fighters rather than Saab JAS 39E Gripen in exchange for a reduction of newly-imposed 36% tariff, Phumtham replied that this is something that has to be discussed because the F-16s come with the condition that Thailand borrow money from US for the purchase.
“I have already spoken to the US ambassador. We have never borrowed money to buy weapons. Suddenly, if we borrow money to buy weapons, you will not die, but I will. If there are no conditions about this loan, we can discuss it,” he said.
On whether Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is preparing to travel to Sweden to sign a contract to purchase the Gripen jet fighters, Phumthum said he did not know because the Air Force has not submitted papers for him to sign nor has it reached the cabinet.
He also mentioned that he talks to American officials often and there are many forums where he would be meeting them with defence ministers from many countries to meet in Germany in the middle of May and there is also the upcoming Shangri-La conference in Singapore where he will be meeting his counterparts from US and China.
Photo: Amarin TV
This report was originally published by www.thainewsroom.com
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