ID :
54519
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 22:35
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/54519
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Thai PM rejects 'red-shirt' ultimatum to resign
BANGKOK, April 8 (TNA) - Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday rejected a 24 hour ultimatum by the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), saying he would not resign from his post as his four-month-old government faces the biggest challenge ever.
"I will not resign nor dissolve the House. I can assure you the government will not start violence," said the prime minister.
UDD demonstrators rallying in front of Privy Council president Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda as well as in front of Government House and the Royal Plaza, earlier issued an ultimatum demanding Gen. Prem and two privy councillors - Gen. Surayud Chulanont and Charnchai Likhitjittha – along with Mr. Abhisit resign from their posts without conditions within 24 hours.
"Severe pressure will be imposed if they do not resign. Measures which will be employed will be in line with that offered by the constitution. The public will feel the least trouble," said Jatuporn Prompan, the key protest leader.
The premier dismissed the ultimatum as unpractical, asking who was the ‘democratic advocate’ according to the protest leaders, to reform the country’s politics. He also lashed out at the protesters, saying real democratic advocates should not trigger violence or harm other people.
In his latest video link address from an undisclosed location Wednesday night, convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra urged his supporters to be patient while telling them not to go home empty-handed but rather with true democracy. He also said it was not important whether he would be able to return home or not.
""This fight is not for me, it's about our country, our people, our future generations," said Mr. Thaksin.
The red-shirt protesters have now successfully blocked off least three areas, namely Government House, the nearby Royal Plaza and Gen. Prem’s home.
The protesters announced they would remain at Gen. Prem’s residence for at least three days.
Meanwhile, the prime minister said the ongoing protest would not disrupt the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with international dialog partners in the seaside resort of Pattaya.
The premier gave the assurances after his motorcade was attacked by UDD protesters in Pattaya on Tuesday.
Mr. Abhisit said the government would not postpone the upcoming ASEAN meeting, adding soliders would help police handle the situation to maintain law and order.
"I’m confident there will not be any repeat of Tuesday’s incident. Adequate security measures will be provided to foreign leaders . What happened to me would never happen to other leaders," said the premier.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban said international-standard security measures would be implemented during the ASEAN summit and there would be even much stricter than those for the Thai leader.
The three-day meeting of ASEAN leaders and their counterparts from China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand is set to open in Pattaya this weekend. -(TNA)
"I will not resign nor dissolve the House. I can assure you the government will not start violence," said the prime minister.
UDD demonstrators rallying in front of Privy Council president Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda as well as in front of Government House and the Royal Plaza, earlier issued an ultimatum demanding Gen. Prem and two privy councillors - Gen. Surayud Chulanont and Charnchai Likhitjittha – along with Mr. Abhisit resign from their posts without conditions within 24 hours.
"Severe pressure will be imposed if they do not resign. Measures which will be employed will be in line with that offered by the constitution. The public will feel the least trouble," said Jatuporn Prompan, the key protest leader.
The premier dismissed the ultimatum as unpractical, asking who was the ‘democratic advocate’ according to the protest leaders, to reform the country’s politics. He also lashed out at the protesters, saying real democratic advocates should not trigger violence or harm other people.
In his latest video link address from an undisclosed location Wednesday night, convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra urged his supporters to be patient while telling them not to go home empty-handed but rather with true democracy. He also said it was not important whether he would be able to return home or not.
""This fight is not for me, it's about our country, our people, our future generations," said Mr. Thaksin.
The red-shirt protesters have now successfully blocked off least three areas, namely Government House, the nearby Royal Plaza and Gen. Prem’s home.
The protesters announced they would remain at Gen. Prem’s residence for at least three days.
Meanwhile, the prime minister said the ongoing protest would not disrupt the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with international dialog partners in the seaside resort of Pattaya.
The premier gave the assurances after his motorcade was attacked by UDD protesters in Pattaya on Tuesday.
Mr. Abhisit said the government would not postpone the upcoming ASEAN meeting, adding soliders would help police handle the situation to maintain law and order.
"I’m confident there will not be any repeat of Tuesday’s incident. Adequate security measures will be provided to foreign leaders . What happened to me would never happen to other leaders," said the premier.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban said international-standard security measures would be implemented during the ASEAN summit and there would be even much stricter than those for the Thai leader.
The three-day meeting of ASEAN leaders and their counterparts from China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand is set to open in Pattaya this weekend. -(TNA)
