U.S. urges Thailand to hold elections quickly

The United States on Tuesday urged Thailand to hold democratic elections after a bloodless coup last month deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"We call for clear and unambiguous protection for civil liberties by the interim authorities and the military, and a quick return to democratic elections," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said in a statement.

"Thailand's image in the eyes of the world and U.S.-Thai relations will suffer until Thailand returns to its place as a democratic leader in Asia," Perino said, adding the Bush administration was considering additional steps after it suspended nearly 24 million dollars in aid to Thailand last week.

Referring to the appointment of an interim prime minister, Surayud Chulanont, in Thailand, and the promulgation of an interim constitution," Perino said "We remain concerned by restrictions on civil liberties, provisions in the draft constitution that appear to give the military an ongoing and influential role in decision- making, and the lengthy timetable for democratic elections."

Source: Xinhua