| Taken Question Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC September 20, 2006 Question Taken at the September 20, 2006 Daily Press Briefing Thailand -- U.S. AssistanceQuestion: What is the total (defined broadly) amount of assistance the U.S. provides to Thailand (development, military, counter-narcotics, etc.)? What assistance could be subject to review under Section 508 of the Foreign Operations Act of 2006? Answer: Under the Foreign Operations Assistance Act, the United States has budgeted approximately $14 million in bilateral assistance to Thailand in Fiscal Year 2006. Thailand also participates in some regionally funded programs. We are undertaking a review of U.S. Government programs to determine which constitute direct assistance to the Government of Thailand and whether there may be additional relevant programs. A great deal of U.S. assistance provided to Thailand is funded by the annual Foreign Operations Assistance Act and, thus, would come within the scope of section 508. The U.S. urges the swift return to democratic rule and free elections in Thailand. 2006/849 |
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