US 'REGRETS WRONGLY ASSESSED' FINDINGS

The United States has expressed its regret to the government for portraying
Thailand in a negative light in its latest human rights report, government
spokesman Jakrapob Penkair said yesterday.

But a US embassy spokesman said he could not confirm this.

Mr Jakrapob said Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai yesterday told
cabinet a message from US President George W Bush and Secretary of State
Colin Powell expressed regret for the US report, which had riled Thai
authorities particularly with its criticism of extra-judicial killings
during the government's three-month war on drugs.

He said the US admitted to having used old information in assessing the
situation of human rights in Thailand, and wanted to correct its
misunderstanding over the issue.

"After receiving new information from the Thai government, the US accepted
the majority of extra-judicial killings were actually in police
self-defence," he said.

Asked to comment on this matter, US embassy spokesman Mark Larsen said he
could not confirm that such a message had been sent by his government to
the Thai government.