*EPF214 11/06/2001
Text: Ambassador-designate Stresses Strength of U.S.-Thai Relations
(Nov. 6 testimony before Senate Foreign Relations Committee) (1230)
Seeking confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, Darryl N. Johnson told the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations November 6 that the United States and Thailand "enjoyed close and vital cooperation during the Indochina conflict, the Persian Gulf War, and again now in the War on Global Terrorism."
"We have had no more consistent and dependable ally in these and other efforts than Thailand," Johnson added.
Johnson said "in light of the support we have enjoyed from our Thai allies, I will want to ensure that we are doing everything we can to assist the Thai in solving the serious problems that affect their country and society."
He identified illegal drugs, trafficking in persons, environmental degradation, and poverty as serious problems in Thailand.
"Demonstrating the gratitude of the United States and our concern for the problems Thailand faces will be a priority for me if I am confirmed," Johnson said.
In addition, Johnson said he looks "forward to participating in a vigorous public diplomacy effort to further strengthen Thai public understanding and support for U.S. policy objectives."
Johnson added that if he were confirmed to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, "it would represent a culmination of my government service career, which started in November, 1962, when I began training to be a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand."
Johnson has served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Lithuania.
Following is the text of Johnson's statement, as prepared for delivery:
(begin text)
STATEMENT OF DARRYL N JOHNSON,
AMBASSADOR DESIGNATE TO THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND
BEFORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
November 6, 2001
Mr. Chairman,
I am greatly honored to appear before you today as you consider my candidacy to be American Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand. I am grateful to President Bush for nominating me for this high office, and I will, if confirmed, do my utmost to justify his confidence in me.
Before proceeding, Mr. Chairman, I would ask your indulgence to introduce my wife, Kathleen, who is sitting just behind me today, but is ahead of me most of the time.
The United States and Thailand have enjoyed an exceptional relationship since 1833, when the United States signed a commercial treaty with the Kingdom of Siam. That was our first ever treaty with an Asian nation. For nearly 170 years we have cultivated a relationship based on shared interests, mutual respect and a common approach to common problems. And with Thailand's evolution to a vibrant democratic system of government, our traditionally close relations have become even closer. Thus, the U.S. and Thailand enjoyed close and vital cooperation during the Indochina conflict, the Persian Gulf War, and again now in the War on Global Terrorism. We have had no more consistent and dependable ally in these and other efforts than Thailand.
I particularly want to bring to your attention the principled, compassionate, and heartfelt stance His Majesty the King and the Royal Thai Government have taken in support of the United States and against the savage acts of terrorism we have endured. Prime Minister Thaksin's statement shortly after the attacks affirmed that
"A long time friend and treaty ally, Thailand will render all possible assistance to the United States as Thailand has done in the past."
The Prime Minister's statements and speeches subsequent to the attacks, continuing up to the present, have been totally supportive, reiterating time and again that Thailand stands by the U.S. in its time of trouble. Thailand suffered with us on September 11: several Thai citizens were among the missing in New York, and two Thai Government employees were injured in the attack and remain hospitalized in the New York area. Thailand has looked for ways to support us and contribute to the international fight against terrorism. We are grateful for that contribution.
In light of the support we have enjoyed from our Thai allies, I will want to ensure that we are doing everything we can to assist the Thai in solving the serious problems that affect their country and society. Drugs, trafficking in persons, environmental degradation, and poverty all damage lives and livelihoods in Thailand. Demonstrating the gratitude of the United States and our concern for the problems Thailand faces will be a priority for me if I am confirmed.
In recent years, American students, American entrepreneurs, soldiers and diplomats, Peace Corps Volunteers and tourists, have worked with their Thai counterparts to nourish the close friendship between the U.S. and Thailand.
We have:
-- $22 billion in two-way trade,
-- annual joint military training exercises,
-- close cooperation at the International Law Enforcement Academy, located in Bangkok,
-- side-by-side research efforts on infectious diseases as well as HIV/AIDS through the Center for Disease Control and the U.S. military,
-- partnership in international peacekeeping operations such as East Timor,
-- and a team effort against illegal drugs resulting in such successes as Operation Tiger Trap, which destroyed much of the organization of Golden Triangle heroin warlord Khun Sa.
In addition to these bilateral efforts, Thailand's responsible and positive regional role is something we count on in a region that is as troubled as it is strategically important. Thailand is a leader in ASEAN and the ASEAN Regional Forum, and is an important member of APEC. The Thai commitment to human rights, peace, and stability is evident from their international actions; in addition to the troops and leadership they have contributed to the peacekeeping force in East Timor, Thailand is also an observer in the OSCE and OAS, and has built bridges between those organizations and SE Asia.
At home, the Thai enjoy a free and open society with an open and energetic electoral and political process. The Thai public takes seriously its freedom to criticize its own government and policies. In that regard, I look forward to participating in a vigorous public diplomacy effort to further strengthen Thai public understanding and support for U.S. policy objectives.
Mr. Chairman, let me add a personal note: this is the second time I have had the honor to appear before this Committee as a nominee to be a U.S. Ambassador. The first such occasion was nearly ten years ago when I was sent to open the first U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Lithuania. It was a highly satisfying experience to represent the U.S. in such a friendly country, newly free from the Soviet yoke. If I am confirmed by the Senate to serve as the President's personal representative to the Kingdom of Thailand, it would represent a culmination of my government service career, which started in November, 1962, when I began training to be a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand. Thailand has always felt like a second home, partly because my daughter was born in Chiangmai and goes by the Thai name, Darawan. My wife, Kathleen, is a talented artist, particularly in the field of weaving and textile arts. She and I both look forward to learning more about the rich Thai textile traditions. We also look forward to reaching beyond the diplomatic, business and governmental worlds of Bangkok to carry America's message directly to the people of Thailand, and to convey accurately the views of our Thai friends back to the American government.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman; I am ready to respond to your questions.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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