ID :
112751
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 15:15
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/112751
The shortlink copeid
PM ready to send envoys to talk with key protesters
BANGKOK, March 21 (TNA) -- In an attempt to defuse current the political stalemate in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday he is ready to delegate two senior officials as his representatives to confer with the anti-government protesters on ways to break the deadlock.
Speaking during his weekly TV and radio address, Mr Abhisit thanked supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) for holding a peaceful mobile rally on Bangkok streets Saturday, saying that he would initially send Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat and Korbsak Sabhavasu, secretary-general to the prime minister, to discuss with the UDD leaders ways to end the political crisis.
Members of the National Human Rights Commission and some senators would coordinate preparations for the talks, he said.
Emphasising that he has no objection to negotiate with the UDD leaders, he explained that they could not set a dissolution of the lower house of parliament as a pre-condition.
Mr Abhisit said talks must be held first to determine what should be done to benefit the people or the democratic system--such as when the House should be dissolved and its appropriate time.
“Key UDD leaders have said in their platform that the House dissolution is just only a 'first kilometre marker' which means there are several other demands to follow,” Mr Abhisit said.
If the UDD leaders are interested in democracy and peace in Thailand, Mr Abhisit said, they would be willing to sit at the negotiating table. And if they are not, it could be interpreted that the UDD has only a single responsibility: to “follow orders given by Mr Thaksin”.
Ex-prime minister Thaksin was toppled in a bloodless coup in September 2006 and is on the run avoiding serving a two-year term of imprisonment. He is now reportedly staying in Dubai.
As Mr Abhisit is extending an olive branch to UDD supporters, Weng Tochirakarn, a key Red Shirt movement leader, insisted that his group would only hold talks with Mr Abhisit personally, as he has full authority in making final decisions. (TNA)
Speaking during his weekly TV and radio address, Mr Abhisit thanked supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) for holding a peaceful mobile rally on Bangkok streets Saturday, saying that he would initially send Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat and Korbsak Sabhavasu, secretary-general to the prime minister, to discuss with the UDD leaders ways to end the political crisis.
Members of the National Human Rights Commission and some senators would coordinate preparations for the talks, he said.
Emphasising that he has no objection to negotiate with the UDD leaders, he explained that they could not set a dissolution of the lower house of parliament as a pre-condition.
Mr Abhisit said talks must be held first to determine what should be done to benefit the people or the democratic system--such as when the House should be dissolved and its appropriate time.
“Key UDD leaders have said in their platform that the House dissolution is just only a 'first kilometre marker' which means there are several other demands to follow,” Mr Abhisit said.
If the UDD leaders are interested in democracy and peace in Thailand, Mr Abhisit said, they would be willing to sit at the negotiating table. And if they are not, it could be interpreted that the UDD has only a single responsibility: to “follow orders given by Mr Thaksin”.
Ex-prime minister Thaksin was toppled in a bloodless coup in September 2006 and is on the run avoiding serving a two-year term of imprisonment. He is now reportedly staying in Dubai.
As Mr Abhisit is extending an olive branch to UDD supporters, Weng Tochirakarn, a key Red Shirt movement leader, insisted that his group would only hold talks with Mr Abhisit personally, as he has full authority in making final decisions. (TNA)
