February 1, 2008
BANGKOK - According to the US ambassador to Thailand Eric John, American military aid suspended in the wake of the 2006 coup will likely be resumed once the newly-elected government is in place.
John spoke to reporters after a one-hour meeting with Thailand's new Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to discuss the still-close ties between the nations, according to AFP.
"US military aid to Thailand that was severed after the military coup will be resumed once a democratic government is formed," he said, speaking through an interpreter.
About 24 million dollars in military aid was suspended to protest against a bloodless coup in September 2006.
The aid cut-off involved foreign military financing, international military education and training, and peacekeeping operations.
Before the suspended aid can be resumed, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will have to certify to the US Congress that a democratic government has taken office, once the new cabinet is in place.
PM Samak is expected to unveil his cabinet by early next week.
