ID :
51053
Tue, 03/17/2009 - 20:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/51053
The shortlink copeid
PM unworried over possible abandonment of FM Kasit by government MPs
BANGKOK, March 17 (TNA) - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Tuesday he is not concerned over the possibility that government members of parliament might not cast votes of confidence in Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya in the censure debate and commented that individual lawmakers simply have the constitutional right to vote either way.
Mr. Abhisit's comments apparently dampened fears earlier raised by government whips over the planned bashing of the foreign minister not only by the Opposition, but also by fellow coalition partners.
The premier said all charges and questions regarding Mr. Kasit could be clarified and responded to by the foreign minister’s Democrat Party as well as by other coalition partners.
Mr. Abhisit dismissed allegations that a six-digit sum of kickback money would be offered to MPs in exchange for confidence votes for the targeted ministers following the censure debate in Parliament.
The prime minister said no coalition partners should compel their MPs to vote for a partisan sake because such directives would violate the constitutional rights of individual legislators to vote on a free and voluntary basis.
Mr. Abhisit said he had already consulted with the foreign minister who confirmed he could respond to all the charges.
The premier dismissed criticism that the schedules for the censure debate had been moved up from next week to this week only to keep the opposition ill-prepared and off balance.
He said he had earlier scheduled tasks which had already been postponed to give way to the censure bid.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kasit also said he did not worry about the fears of the government whips that some government MPs might not lend him a vote of confidence and commented without elaborating that it will be the party's business to cope with such possibilities.
Democrat MP Kiatikorn Phakphiansilp earlier warned that some of his colleagues in parliament might choose to abstain from voting for the foreign minister. (TNA)
Mr. Abhisit's comments apparently dampened fears earlier raised by government whips over the planned bashing of the foreign minister not only by the Opposition, but also by fellow coalition partners.
The premier said all charges and questions regarding Mr. Kasit could be clarified and responded to by the foreign minister’s Democrat Party as well as by other coalition partners.
Mr. Abhisit dismissed allegations that a six-digit sum of kickback money would be offered to MPs in exchange for confidence votes for the targeted ministers following the censure debate in Parliament.
The prime minister said no coalition partners should compel their MPs to vote for a partisan sake because such directives would violate the constitutional rights of individual legislators to vote on a free and voluntary basis.
Mr. Abhisit said he had already consulted with the foreign minister who confirmed he could respond to all the charges.
The premier dismissed criticism that the schedules for the censure debate had been moved up from next week to this week only to keep the opposition ill-prepared and off balance.
He said he had earlier scheduled tasks which had already been postponed to give way to the censure bid.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kasit also said he did not worry about the fears of the government whips that some government MPs might not lend him a vote of confidence and commented without elaborating that it will be the party's business to cope with such possibilities.
Democrat MP Kiatikorn Phakphiansilp earlier warned that some of his colleagues in parliament might choose to abstain from voting for the foreign minister. (TNA)
