USA: WASHINGTON: PRESIDENT CLINTON MEETS THAI PRIME MINISTER LEEKPAI

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1.2 هزار بار بازدید - 9 سال پیش - (13 Mar 1998) English/Nat
(13 Mar 1998) English/Nat

Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai met U-S President Bill Clinton on Friday in Washington.

As a gesture to an old ally facing hard economic times, the Clinton administration  agreed to free the Thai government from buying U-S-made jet fighters which it can no longer afford.

Clinton praised the Thai government for handling its economic ills, which emerged last year as many major East Asian nations suffered currency and credit problems.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We have obviously been very concerned about the challenges facing the Thai economy, but very, very impressed with the leadership of this prime minister, his willingness to make difficult decisions to bring his country back to full and robust financial health and we want to do whatever we can to be a good friend and a good partner."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President

Chuan responded by saying he was sure Thailand would emerge from the crisis.

SOUNDBITE: (Thai)
"Thailand is undergoing a period of financial and economic crisis.  During this time of need we appreciate the help and support of our friends.  WE the Thai people will do whatever we can to overcome our crisis and we are confident we will be able to regain economic stability and be a force that can contribute to world peace and progress."
SUPER CAPTION: Chuan Leekpai, Thai Prime Minister

The Thai leader also met Robert Rubin, the U-S Treasury Secretary following a visit to Capitol Hill.

He assured the American congressmen that Thailand is on the road to economic recovery, after last July's market crash.

Efforts to smooth tension between the U-S and Thailand over the crisis appeared to be working.

And despite its money woes, Secretary Rubin told reporters after his meeting that he was confident Thailand was on the road to recovery, with the help of the I-M-F's Asia  bailout package.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think, and we said to the Prime Minister that I think Thailand has done an extraordinarily good job of putting in place a constructive reform programme.  And we in turn have engaged with Thailand throughout this process, constructively.  Most recently, we were very supportive of the three to five billion dollar S-R-F additional potential financing that the I-M-F announced if needed.  And as you may remember, that was announced as a sign of confidence that Thailand was on a good and strong track.  And what we said to the Prime Minister here was that we would like to be helpful in any way that seemed constructive."
SUPER CAPTION: Robert Rubin, US Treasury Secretary

But there was less confidence in the situation with Thailand's neighbour, Indonesia, whose government is still balking at the conditions attached to the package on offer from the I-M-F.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Obviously, the ultimate result of this - the result we hope for - I am not predicting anything, but the deal we hope for is an agreement between Indonesia and the I-M-F on a strong reform programme that would address problems and create confidence.  What we are trying to do is contribute."
SUPER CAPTION: Robert Rubin, US Treasury Secretary

After his talks with Clinton, the Thai leader was scheduled to meet I-M-F chief Michel Camdessus and the head of the World Bank, James  Wolfensohn.

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