Thailand rejects any role for U.S. in South

[Cocoa]

Thailand to Rummy: go away you scary old man.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/asia/story/0,4386,255037,00.html

BANGKOK - The Thai government yesterday ruled out the prospect of US troops being deployed to restore order in the troubled Muslim south, where separatist violence has raged this year.

'There is no reason for the US to deploy troops. It's usual for the US to comment on such things but we can manage the situation,' said Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who is responsible for security affairs.

The debate was triggered by US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's visit to the region last week during which he said he hoped US forces would be hunting terrorists in South-east Asia 'pretty soon'.
Mr Chavalit rejected Mr Rumsfeld's comment that South-east Asia was vulnerable to terrorist attacks.