US Defence Secretary visits, adds meeting with PM

Описание: (6 Jun 2005)

1. US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld steps out of car at Thai Defence Ministry and shakes hands with Thai Defence Minister, General Thammarak Isarangura Na Ayutthaya
2. The two defence ministers mount platform for national anthems
3. Various of the ministers and military guard as anthems are played
4. Various of the two defence ministers walking on red carpet in front of the military guard
5. Rumsfeld signs visitors' book at Defence Ministry
6. Various of bilateral meeting between Secretary Rumsfeld and General Thammarak
7. Various of Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra greeting US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld
8. Cutaway of photographers
9. Various of Thaksin and Rumsfeld seated for photo opportunity

STORYLINE:

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Monday focused on cooperation between the US and Thailand as he met with Thai officials during a one-day stopover in Bangkok.

Rumsfeld met early Monday with Defence Minister General Thammarak Isarangura Na Ayutthaya and later in the day with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra before touring Bangkok's Grand Palace.

Details of Rumsfeld's discussions with the Thai defence minister were not immediately available.

A US Embassy spokesman said on condition of anonymity that Rumsfeld had no plans to speak publicly to the press.

Thaksin told reporters that he and Rumsfeld were meeting to "discuss cooperation, as Thailand and the US have long been allies."

Thaksin did not elaborate further.

Thailand and the United States have maintained close ties for decades.

The Southeast Asian nation has received US military assistance since 1950.

During the Vietnam War, the United States built military bases throughout Thailand. Its cities became popular rest stops for US troops.

The US Embassy in Bangkok grew to become the second largest in the world after Cairo.

In recent years, Thailand's government has been struggling to contain a wave of violence in the country's Muslim-majority south.

More than 860 people have been killed in almost daily shootings and bomb attacks blamed on the return of a long-dormant separatist movement.

Rumsfeld arrived amid heavy monsoon rains late Sunday from Singapore, where he headed a US delegation at a regional security conference.

Rumsfeld was to depart early Tuesday for Norway.

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