ID :
45670
Sat, 02/14/2009 - 17:47
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http://m.oananews.org//node/45670
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Time not right for national reconciliation bill: PM Abhisit
BANGKOK, Feb 14 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Saturday he believed that this moment is not the right time for a national reconciliation law granting amnesty to politicians banned from politics due to electoral fraud.
The prime minister said the urgent matter to be addressed is Thailand's economic challenge rather than political issues.
However, Mr. Abhisit said he would not block the attempt. He affirmed he had a broad enough mind to listen to the proposal and is ready to discuss the matter, but prefers to use political reform framework to find a solution to the political problem.
A nonpartisan group should be set up to recommend political reform to ease the conflict in society, which should be acceptable for all with a stake in the matter.
So far the prime minister has not discussed the issue with Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul, new leader of the Bhumjaithai Party who agrees with the proposed amnesty, or with executives of other parties in his coalition government, Mr. Abhisit said.
"The government does not want to create any conditions or conflicts as in the past," the prime minister said, "but the amnesty issue is a factor that led to Thailand's political unrest."
If there is (major) conflict again, the government won't be able to achieve the target to solve the economic problem, he said.
Mr. Abhisit affirmed confidence that the plan to grant amnesty to banned politicians would not drive a wedge among parties in the coalition government or shake the government's stability.
Talks were earlier held with the main opposition Puea Thai Party on political reform and it would be a positive factor if the party stops it's moves toward issuing the law, Mr. Abhisit said.
Puea Thai Party members plan to propose the law in Parliament on Wednesday. If approved and enacted, it would grant amnesty to 111 former executives of the court-ruled defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, including convicted and ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
It would also offer amnesty to 109 former executives of the three other parties the court dissolved and banned from politics for five years for electoral fraud. (TNA)
The prime minister said the urgent matter to be addressed is Thailand's economic challenge rather than political issues.
However, Mr. Abhisit said he would not block the attempt. He affirmed he had a broad enough mind to listen to the proposal and is ready to discuss the matter, but prefers to use political reform framework to find a solution to the political problem.
A nonpartisan group should be set up to recommend political reform to ease the conflict in society, which should be acceptable for all with a stake in the matter.
So far the prime minister has not discussed the issue with Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul, new leader of the Bhumjaithai Party who agrees with the proposed amnesty, or with executives of other parties in his coalition government, Mr. Abhisit said.
"The government does not want to create any conditions or conflicts as in the past," the prime minister said, "but the amnesty issue is a factor that led to Thailand's political unrest."
If there is (major) conflict again, the government won't be able to achieve the target to solve the economic problem, he said.
Mr. Abhisit affirmed confidence that the plan to grant amnesty to banned politicians would not drive a wedge among parties in the coalition government or shake the government's stability.
Talks were earlier held with the main opposition Puea Thai Party on political reform and it would be a positive factor if the party stops it's moves toward issuing the law, Mr. Abhisit said.
Puea Thai Party members plan to propose the law in Parliament on Wednesday. If approved and enacted, it would grant amnesty to 111 former executives of the court-ruled defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, including convicted and ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
It would also offer amnesty to 109 former executives of the three other parties the court dissolved and banned from politics for five years for electoral fraud. (TNA)
