ID :
150736
Mon, 11/22/2010 - 19:23
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http://m.oananews.org//node/150736
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No Red Shirt rally at Parliament: UDD leader
BANGKOK, Nov 22 - A key leader of anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Monday urged Red Shirt supporters not to gather at Parliament where the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the Yellow Shirt movement, plans a rally opposing to charter amendment drafts to be debated by the joint parliamentary sitting on Tuesday.
UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan, also a party-list MP of the opposition Puea Thai Party announced the Red Shirt stance following the planned protest of its rival Yellow Shirt from Tuesday through Thursday after the coalition government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva approved two charter amendment drafts.
Mr Jatuporn pledged there would be no Red Shirt rally at Parliament, but warned the government not to prepare persons masquerading as UDD Red Shirt activists -- to create a situation there.
On Nov 16, the Cabinet agreed with the results of the study by the committee for political reform and charter amendment, chaired by Prof Sombat Thamrong-thanyawong, that Article 190 requiring parliamentary approval for any treaty to be signed with other countries and Articles 93 and 98 on amending the electoral system.
As the government's two charter amendment drafts will be raised in the joint sitting of Parliament tomorrow, this paved the way for the other two drafts proposed earlier to be considered by the body, one proposed in 2008 by the People’s Committee for Amending the 2007 Constitution led by UDD leader Weng Tojirakarn, similar to the now scrapped 1997 Constitution, and another proposed by 102 MPs of coalition parties led by Bhumjaithai Party.
Red Shirt leader Jatuporn said he believes Parliament will not consider Dr Weng's draft, while pledging that the Puea Thai party will put the 1997 Constitution in the party's election campaign if Parliament is dissolved.
Mr Jatuporn urged the UDD supporters to stay patient until that time and not obstruct the charter amendment of the government.
The Yellow Shirt earlier announced the group’s rally outside the compound of Parliament Nov 23 -25 from 8am until the joint session ends each day, and pledged to continue its protest until the drafts are withdrawn or rejected.
PAD key leader Sondhi Limthongkul accused that this is a "well-planned political game" that will give the premier legitimacy to dissolve Parliament and create condition leading to a military coup as the Red Shirts might come out to show their support for Mr Weng's draft and confront with the Yellow Shirts.
Meanwhile, government chief whip Witthaya Kaewparadai said on Monday that the whip resolved to reject Mr Weng's draft which proposed to amend the entire content of the charter as well as granting amnesty to politicians.
"If the joint sitting of the parliament approves that draft, the country will be in problem. The government whip therefore resolved to reject the draft and the Puea Thai Party can walk out if they want to but the session will continue" said Mr Witthaya.
Mr Witthaya added the charter amendment debate will be held for two days, Nov 23 -24, from 10am through midnight and the voting will be held on Thursday.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Chai Chidchob instructed concerned officials to tighten security at the parliament, especially on November 25, the voting day for charter amendment drafts, according to the director of the Parliament’s Security office Thaweekiat Chaovalitthawin.
Mr Thaweekiat said 80 parliamentary workers will provide security inside Parliament, while five companies of police will tighten security the outside compound.
One company of police has been deployed at Parliament from Monday night ahead of the PAD rally while four others will join on Tuesday, said Mr Thaweekiat, adding that Parliament is also seeking cooperation from the army to send its personnel to stand by in the area. (MCOT online news)
UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan, also a party-list MP of the opposition Puea Thai Party announced the Red Shirt stance following the planned protest of its rival Yellow Shirt from Tuesday through Thursday after the coalition government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva approved two charter amendment drafts.
Mr Jatuporn pledged there would be no Red Shirt rally at Parliament, but warned the government not to prepare persons masquerading as UDD Red Shirt activists -- to create a situation there.
On Nov 16, the Cabinet agreed with the results of the study by the committee for political reform and charter amendment, chaired by Prof Sombat Thamrong-thanyawong, that Article 190 requiring parliamentary approval for any treaty to be signed with other countries and Articles 93 and 98 on amending the electoral system.
As the government's two charter amendment drafts will be raised in the joint sitting of Parliament tomorrow, this paved the way for the other two drafts proposed earlier to be considered by the body, one proposed in 2008 by the People’s Committee for Amending the 2007 Constitution led by UDD leader Weng Tojirakarn, similar to the now scrapped 1997 Constitution, and another proposed by 102 MPs of coalition parties led by Bhumjaithai Party.
Red Shirt leader Jatuporn said he believes Parliament will not consider Dr Weng's draft, while pledging that the Puea Thai party will put the 1997 Constitution in the party's election campaign if Parliament is dissolved.
Mr Jatuporn urged the UDD supporters to stay patient until that time and not obstruct the charter amendment of the government.
The Yellow Shirt earlier announced the group’s rally outside the compound of Parliament Nov 23 -25 from 8am until the joint session ends each day, and pledged to continue its protest until the drafts are withdrawn or rejected.
PAD key leader Sondhi Limthongkul accused that this is a "well-planned political game" that will give the premier legitimacy to dissolve Parliament and create condition leading to a military coup as the Red Shirts might come out to show their support for Mr Weng's draft and confront with the Yellow Shirts.
Meanwhile, government chief whip Witthaya Kaewparadai said on Monday that the whip resolved to reject Mr Weng's draft which proposed to amend the entire content of the charter as well as granting amnesty to politicians.
"If the joint sitting of the parliament approves that draft, the country will be in problem. The government whip therefore resolved to reject the draft and the Puea Thai Party can walk out if they want to but the session will continue" said Mr Witthaya.
Mr Witthaya added the charter amendment debate will be held for two days, Nov 23 -24, from 10am through midnight and the voting will be held on Thursday.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Chai Chidchob instructed concerned officials to tighten security at the parliament, especially on November 25, the voting day for charter amendment drafts, according to the director of the Parliament’s Security office Thaweekiat Chaovalitthawin.
Mr Thaweekiat said 80 parliamentary workers will provide security inside Parliament, while five companies of police will tighten security the outside compound.
One company of police has been deployed at Parliament from Monday night ahead of the PAD rally while four others will join on Tuesday, said Mr Thaweekiat, adding that Parliament is also seeking cooperation from the army to send its personnel to stand by in the area. (MCOT online news)
