ID :
118333
Fri, 04/23/2010 - 21:22
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http://m.oananews.org//node/118333
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Red Shirts offers three conditions for new round of talks with government
BANGKOK, April 23 (TNA) - Thailand's anti-government 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) announced Friday that it is ready to hold a third round of talks with the government if the government agrees to its three conditions -- dissolve Parliament in 30 days, appoint an independent panel to probe the April 10 and April 22 incidents and stop intimidating the protesters, according to Red Shirt leader Veera Musikapong.
Mr Veera told supporters at Ratchaprasong intersection that the UDD was deeply disappointed that what he described as their peaceful political fight had not succeeded because many protesters had lost their lives and many more were injured by an unidentified group on April 10th and April 22nd.
There was nothing to guarantee that there would not be another such incident, therefore the Red Shirts propose new conditions for a new round of talks with the government.
He said that first the government must stop all kinds of intimidation with the protesters; then to establish an independent panel to probe the April 10 and 22 incidents; and third the UDD had extended its demand for the government to dissolve the House in 30 days.
If the government accepts the three conditions, the UDD could enter talks with government, he said.
Mr Veera and other UDD leaders and opposition Puea Thai party executives including party leader Yongyuth Wichaidit met five foreign diplomats from Austria, Argentina, Peru, Denmark and Italy to discuss the UDD movement.
They reportedly asked about the prospect of talks with the government to end the political deadlock. Mr Veera said that the UDD was ready to hold talks at any time.
Mr Veera said that the Red Shirts had earlier demanded that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve Parliament in 15 days, but after bloody clashes between the protesters and the army on April 10 at Ratchadamnoen Avenue, leaving 25 dead, the UDD urged the premier to dissolve Lower House of Parliament immediately.
Then, Thursday's M-79 grenade attacks on Silom Road which caused one dead, the UDD realised the importance of the lives and safety of the people, and adjusted its demand to call on government to dissolve the House in 30 days, he said.
Mr Veera said the government would have another 30 days, under the terms of the Constitution. Then, the government would have totally 60 days for a new general election which was considered an appropriate timeframe that was earlier proposed by group of academics.
Meanwhile, the Red Shirts agreed to return to their staging area near Sala Daeng intersection and withdrew from Silom after talking with Metropolitan Police Bureau Division 1 Commander Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai.
Gen Wichai reasoned that the area was not safe after the Red Shirt protesters confronted the Silom community group and so-called Multi-Coloured Group and skirmishes had occurred over several nights before the M-79 attacks Thursday night.
They removed the tents but left the their tyre and sharpened bamboo stave barricades in place.
In related developments, the Multi-Coloured Group gathered at the Equestrian Statue of King Rama V, Chulalongkorn, at the Royal Plaza to show their support for the government.
The demonstrators wore different coloured shirts, waving Thai flag and a yellow flag with the symbol of His Majesty the King.
The group is made up of middle-class Bangkok residents, academics, the business community and members of the social network Facebook.
Since Songkran they have gathered in various locations every evening to show their force in support of prime minister and against the dissolution of Parliament. The gathering on Friday was their biggest rally.
The protesters took turns to deliver speeches in support of the government and attacked the UDD. They urged the prime minister to be courageous in implementing martial law to deal with the Red Shirt protesters decisively and effectively enforce the law against them.
They also strongly condemned the M79 attack on Silom Road on Thursday night. The rally was scheduled to end at 7pm. (TNA)
Mr Veera told supporters at Ratchaprasong intersection that the UDD was deeply disappointed that what he described as their peaceful political fight had not succeeded because many protesters had lost their lives and many more were injured by an unidentified group on April 10th and April 22nd.
There was nothing to guarantee that there would not be another such incident, therefore the Red Shirts propose new conditions for a new round of talks with the government.
He said that first the government must stop all kinds of intimidation with the protesters; then to establish an independent panel to probe the April 10 and 22 incidents; and third the UDD had extended its demand for the government to dissolve the House in 30 days.
If the government accepts the three conditions, the UDD could enter talks with government, he said.
Mr Veera and other UDD leaders and opposition Puea Thai party executives including party leader Yongyuth Wichaidit met five foreign diplomats from Austria, Argentina, Peru, Denmark and Italy to discuss the UDD movement.
They reportedly asked about the prospect of talks with the government to end the political deadlock. Mr Veera said that the UDD was ready to hold talks at any time.
Mr Veera said that the Red Shirts had earlier demanded that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve Parliament in 15 days, but after bloody clashes between the protesters and the army on April 10 at Ratchadamnoen Avenue, leaving 25 dead, the UDD urged the premier to dissolve Lower House of Parliament immediately.
Then, Thursday's M-79 grenade attacks on Silom Road which caused one dead, the UDD realised the importance of the lives and safety of the people, and adjusted its demand to call on government to dissolve the House in 30 days, he said.
Mr Veera said the government would have another 30 days, under the terms of the Constitution. Then, the government would have totally 60 days for a new general election which was considered an appropriate timeframe that was earlier proposed by group of academics.
Meanwhile, the Red Shirts agreed to return to their staging area near Sala Daeng intersection and withdrew from Silom after talking with Metropolitan Police Bureau Division 1 Commander Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai.
Gen Wichai reasoned that the area was not safe after the Red Shirt protesters confronted the Silom community group and so-called Multi-Coloured Group and skirmishes had occurred over several nights before the M-79 attacks Thursday night.
They removed the tents but left the their tyre and sharpened bamboo stave barricades in place.
In related developments, the Multi-Coloured Group gathered at the Equestrian Statue of King Rama V, Chulalongkorn, at the Royal Plaza to show their support for the government.
The demonstrators wore different coloured shirts, waving Thai flag and a yellow flag with the symbol of His Majesty the King.
The group is made up of middle-class Bangkok residents, academics, the business community and members of the social network Facebook.
Since Songkran they have gathered in various locations every evening to show their force in support of prime minister and against the dissolution of Parliament. The gathering on Friday was their biggest rally.
The protesters took turns to deliver speeches in support of the government and attacked the UDD. They urged the prime minister to be courageous in implementing martial law to deal with the Red Shirt protesters decisively and effectively enforce the law against them.
They also strongly condemned the M79 attack on Silom Road on Thursday night. The rally was scheduled to end at 7pm. (TNA)
