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116266
Mon, 04/12/2010 - 17:43
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PM Abhisit vows to stay on to solve country’s crisis
BANGKOK, April 12 (TNA) – Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday vowed to stay on to resolve the country’s political crisis through political means and distinguish innocent protesters from ‘terrorists’ after 21 people were killed in Saturday's violent clashes between security forces and Red Shirts.
Key United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leader Jatuporn Prompan on Monday morning rejected further talks and renewed the Red Shirt demand for the premier to dissolve the House immediately, step down and leave the country, saying it is Thailand's only way out of the current crisis.
Mr Abhisit said during a live broadcast on national television Monday afternoon that his government will stay on to solve the country’s political conflict in two stages.
The premier said the government will first separate ‘innocent protesters’, who joined the demonstration to demand democracy and the elimination of social injustice, from persons whom he branded “terrorists” and urged the public not become a tool of those terrorists.
Mr Abhisit described the so-called terrorists as persons who seized opportunities during the mass rally inciting unrest to culminate in a ‘big change.’
If the government can distinguish between innocent protesters and terrorists, it will be able to launch appropriate measures to solve the chaos, the premier said.
The Thai government on Sunday asserted that a group of unidentified persons in black outfits and masks mingled with the red-shirted crowd and opened fire with M79 grenade launchers, M67 hand grenades and machine guns including AK47 assault rifles during Saturday's clashes between army personnel and anti-government Red Shirt protesters.
The emegency services said 21 people were killed and 863 persons, including more than 200 soldiers, were wounded in the day-long confrontation.
At the same time, the prime minister said regarding the demands of the protesters about injustices in Thai society or issues of democracy, such problems must be resolved by political means.
“I and the coalition parties have regularly discussed about it,” said Mr Abhisit. “We will bring the issues which had been raised during the talks with Red Shirt leaders and adjust them as solutions to the crisis.”
The two-pronged approach must be carried out in parallel. Now every ministry and the coalition parties are working in unity to solve the conflict, according to the premier.
Mr Abhisit said that a probe committee will be set up to find the truth over Saturday's violent clash and the government is ready to co-operate with independent institutions such as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to conduct an investigation.
“Once the facts are established and things are clarified, there must be a responsibility,” reaffirmed Mr Abhisit.
The Red shirt leaders however immediately rejected the probe panel to be set up by the government, saying it is an attempt to prolong the
administration.
The UDD leaders insisted that the premier must dissolve the House and leave Thailand immediately. Otherwise the Red Shirts will follow the premier everywhere he goes.
Earlier UDD key leader Jatuporn said that members of parliament of the opposition Puea Thai Party are filing a complaint to police against Mr Abhisit, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep who oversees national security and Army chief Anupong for intentionally ordering the killing of people at Kok Wua intersection, leading to the deaths of Red Shirt protesters.
Mr Jatuporn said he believes the Red Shirt death toll is not just 21, but that more corpses were hidden.
The UDD leader accused the government of distorting information and insisted that no third party intervened to cause unrest.
There will be no more negotiation, reasserted Mr Jatuporn, the Red Shirts will continue their protests until Mr Abhisit dissolve the House, which is the only way out.
“Sixteen Red Shirts have died. Do they want 32 more lives before dissolving the House?” Mr Jatuporn asked.
Meanwhile, Army chief Anupong Paochinda confirmed the army has no plan to disperse the protesters, saying the ongoing conflict should be resolved through House dissolution.
He dismissed criticisms that the army did not put much effort into its operations in guarding the Thaicom Satellite TV ground station and trying
to clear the protest sites at Ratchaprasong intersection and at Phan Fa Bridge.
“If the army goes ahead with full operation (to crack down protesters), it will not be able to live in this society,” said Gen Anupong.
Speaking about the clash at the Khok Wua intersection, Gen Anupong said an unidentified armed group fired at soldiers and soldiers had to retreat because they could not fight back for fear of the safety of innocent people.
“I think that it should end with House dissolution and the timeframe should be discussed later during negotiation as it is related to constitutional amendment,” Gen Anupong said.
As some people blamed the army for the clashes, Gen Anupong said he believed the world community knew that an armed militant was involved in the incident. He affirmed that soldiers did not hurt the people. The authorities are seeking evidence on that and he hoped foreign media can be
relied on.
The army chief also said that there was no rift in the army but perhaps about five to ten former military officers may work for someone else and have launched an attack on soldiers. (TNA)
Key United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leader Jatuporn Prompan on Monday morning rejected further talks and renewed the Red Shirt demand for the premier to dissolve the House immediately, step down and leave the country, saying it is Thailand's only way out of the current crisis.
Mr Abhisit said during a live broadcast on national television Monday afternoon that his government will stay on to solve the country’s political conflict in two stages.
The premier said the government will first separate ‘innocent protesters’, who joined the demonstration to demand democracy and the elimination of social injustice, from persons whom he branded “terrorists” and urged the public not become a tool of those terrorists.
Mr Abhisit described the so-called terrorists as persons who seized opportunities during the mass rally inciting unrest to culminate in a ‘big change.’
If the government can distinguish between innocent protesters and terrorists, it will be able to launch appropriate measures to solve the chaos, the premier said.
The Thai government on Sunday asserted that a group of unidentified persons in black outfits and masks mingled with the red-shirted crowd and opened fire with M79 grenade launchers, M67 hand grenades and machine guns including AK47 assault rifles during Saturday's clashes between army personnel and anti-government Red Shirt protesters.
The emegency services said 21 people were killed and 863 persons, including more than 200 soldiers, were wounded in the day-long confrontation.
At the same time, the prime minister said regarding the demands of the protesters about injustices in Thai society or issues of democracy, such problems must be resolved by political means.
“I and the coalition parties have regularly discussed about it,” said Mr Abhisit. “We will bring the issues which had been raised during the talks with Red Shirt leaders and adjust them as solutions to the crisis.”
The two-pronged approach must be carried out in parallel. Now every ministry and the coalition parties are working in unity to solve the conflict, according to the premier.
Mr Abhisit said that a probe committee will be set up to find the truth over Saturday's violent clash and the government is ready to co-operate with independent institutions such as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to conduct an investigation.
“Once the facts are established and things are clarified, there must be a responsibility,” reaffirmed Mr Abhisit.
The Red shirt leaders however immediately rejected the probe panel to be set up by the government, saying it is an attempt to prolong the
administration.
The UDD leaders insisted that the premier must dissolve the House and leave Thailand immediately. Otherwise the Red Shirts will follow the premier everywhere he goes.
Earlier UDD key leader Jatuporn said that members of parliament of the opposition Puea Thai Party are filing a complaint to police against Mr Abhisit, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep who oversees national security and Army chief Anupong for intentionally ordering the killing of people at Kok Wua intersection, leading to the deaths of Red Shirt protesters.
Mr Jatuporn said he believes the Red Shirt death toll is not just 21, but that more corpses were hidden.
The UDD leader accused the government of distorting information and insisted that no third party intervened to cause unrest.
There will be no more negotiation, reasserted Mr Jatuporn, the Red Shirts will continue their protests until Mr Abhisit dissolve the House, which is the only way out.
“Sixteen Red Shirts have died. Do they want 32 more lives before dissolving the House?” Mr Jatuporn asked.
Meanwhile, Army chief Anupong Paochinda confirmed the army has no plan to disperse the protesters, saying the ongoing conflict should be resolved through House dissolution.
He dismissed criticisms that the army did not put much effort into its operations in guarding the Thaicom Satellite TV ground station and trying
to clear the protest sites at Ratchaprasong intersection and at Phan Fa Bridge.
“If the army goes ahead with full operation (to crack down protesters), it will not be able to live in this society,” said Gen Anupong.
Speaking about the clash at the Khok Wua intersection, Gen Anupong said an unidentified armed group fired at soldiers and soldiers had to retreat because they could not fight back for fear of the safety of innocent people.
“I think that it should end with House dissolution and the timeframe should be discussed later during negotiation as it is related to constitutional amendment,” Gen Anupong said.
As some people blamed the army for the clashes, Gen Anupong said he believed the world community knew that an armed militant was involved in the incident. He affirmed that soldiers did not hurt the people. The authorities are seeking evidence on that and he hoped foreign media can be
relied on.
The army chief also said that there was no rift in the army but perhaps about five to ten former military officers may work for someone else and have launched an attack on soldiers. (TNA)
