[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 38 (Monday, September 26, 2005)]
[Pages 1430-1432]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Thaksin 
Chinnawat of Thailand

September 19, 2005

    President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Thaksin Chinnawat met 
today to reaffirm the strength of the U.S.-Thai alliance and the 
importance of bilateral cooperation in regional and global affairs. Both 
leaders recognized the special and enduring bonds between the two 
countries as well as between the American and Thai people, demonstrated 
most recently by the close cooperation following last December's 
devastating tsunami and after Hurricane Katrina. President Bush 
expressed his admiration for the resilience and determination of the 
Thai people and government in rebuilding areas affected by the tsunami 
and pledged continued U.S. assistance. The President noted Thailand's 
effort to mobilize support for an establishment of a regional tsunami 
early warning system.
    Prime Minister Thaksin once again expressed his profound condolences 
for American casualties and the devastation from Hurricane Katrina. 
President Bush expressed his

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appreciation for His Majesty the King of Thailand's donations for the 
people affected by Hurricane Katrina and for Thailand's dispatch of 
emergency relief supplies.
    The two leaders welcomed the expanding and deepening security 
cooperation that has followed Thailand's designation as a Major Non-NATO 
Ally and discussed plans to inaugurate a senior-level bilateral dialogue 
on strategic and security issues in Bangkok this fall. They also 
directed their officials to work together on a comprehensive Plan of 
Action covering all major areas of cooperation, aiming to serve as a 
roadmap to maximize the benefits arising from close and productive U.S.-
Thai relations. In that context, the two leaders emphasized the 
importance of trilateral cooperation to support economic and social 
development in countries where both the U.S. and Thailand are working.
    The two leaders discussed the importance of stepping up efforts to 
counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and pledged to 
explore cooperation in the Proliferation Security Initiative. The 
President noted the outstanding cooperation by U.S. and Thai military 
forces in this year's Cobra Gold joint exercises.
    Both leaders expressed concern over current trends in Burma. 
Stressing their shared objectives of promoting democracy and national 
reconciliation in Burma, both sides agreed to have closer consultations 
on this matter. The two leaders noted that they had called for the 
immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other jailed political 
activists when they met in 2003 and reiterated that this step was 
necessary for a credible process of political dialogue for all parties.
    Prime Minister Thaksin briefed President Bush on Bangkok's efforts 
to deal with the violence in southern Thailand while preserving the 
democratic freedom that has made Thailand a leader in Southeast Asia. 
The President commended the Prime Minister's creation of a National 
Reconciliation Commission aimed at developing a broad-based approach to 
the South that combines security, equitable development, and protection 
for basic rights.
    The two leaders agreed to make vigorous efforts to reach conclusion 
on the U.S.-Thai Free Trade Agreement (FTA) next year. They expressed 
satisfaction with the fourth round of talks held in Montana in July and 
looked forward to the 5th round next week in Hawaii. President Bush and 
Prime Minister Thaksin agreed that the FTA must be beneficial to the 
people of both countries and comprehensive in its mandate, and it must 
address issues of importance to both sides.
    The two leaders welcomed the signing of an Air Transport Agreement 
between the two countries that would provide substantial benefits to 
travelers and businesses and further expand bilateral economic linkages.
    As the coordinator for ASEAN dialogue with the United States, 
Thailand plays a key role in U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia. 
President Bush and Prime Minister Thaksin discussed regional and 
development issues and ways to enhance U.S.-Thai cooperation in regional 
forums, particularly the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ASEAN Post 
Ministerial Conferences, as well as the vital nexus of economic, trade, 
and security issues at APEC. President Bush noted that he was looking 
forward to meeting jointly with ASEAN members of APEC at the Leaders' 
Meeting in Busan this November. The two leaders also expressed their 
support for the Aceh peace agreement underway in Indonesia and praised 
the serious efforts of both sides in achieving such a breakthrough.
    Both leaders underscored the importance of combating infectious 
diseases and the urgency of addressing avian flu in particular. 
President Bush applauded Prime Minister Thaksin's leadership in 
responding to outbreaks in his country. The two leaders agreed on the 
critical importance of transparency, close monitoring, and cooperation 
across sectors and with international health organizations by all 
countries in the region. They pledged to intensify cooperation on global 
efforts to respond to this critical emerging issue.
    President Bush and Prime Minister Thaksin agreed on the potential 
for even greater coordination on areas of mutual concern and overlapping 
interest and looked forward to meeting again in November at APEC.

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this joint statement.

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