ID :
54530
Thu, 04/09/2009 - 11:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/54530
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PM asserts he won't resign; affirms government's lawful, democratic response to protest
BANGKOK, April 9 (TNA) – Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reaffirmed Thursday morning that he will not resign from his post, as demanded by red-shirted protesters of the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) rallied in Bangkok for the second day.
The prime minister, interviewed on a TV Channel 9 morning news programme, said he has no reason to resign and that he has made his position clear that all of his government’s actions must be in accord with the democratic system and democratic values.
He affirmed the government and the security forces will only apply lawful responses to the protest.
Threats by protesters will not force the government to take any inappropriate action, he said, adding that he was confident the protest would be short-lived.
Meanwhile, UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan warned that if the United Front’s demands are not met, the protest may end up in Pattaya, on the doorstep of this weekend’s meetings of ASEAN with the regional organisation’s critical dialogue partners, ASEAN+3 and ASEAN+6.
Mr. Jatuporn, a ‘core leader’ of the UDD said the Abhisit government came to power illegitimately and therefore has no authority to host the summit.
The UDD leader said Thursday and Friday is a critical period as anything could happen.
The protest against the government has come close to the climax of its last journey, Mr. Jatuporn said, and there will be winners and losers.
UDD demonstrators rallying at Privy Council President Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda’s home as well as at Government House and the Royal Plaza issued an ultimatum Wednesday afternoon demanding the resignations of four key persons within 24 hours -- Gen. Prem and two other privy councillors, Gen. Surayud Chulanont and Charnchai Likhitjittha, along with Mr. Abhisit.
The protesters announced they would remain at Gen. Prem’s residence for at least three days.
Prime Minister Abhisit dismissed the ultimatum as being impractical, and said that the demands of the protesters were quite confused.
Regarding the upcoming ASEAN meeting, Mr. Abhisit said the protest would not disrupt the summit of the ten member states and six other partner states which opens Friday in Pattaya.
The premier said the government will not postpone the ASEAN meeting, but that military security could supplement the police personnel in handling the situation to maintain law and order.
"I’m confident there will no repeat of Tuesday’s incident,” Mr. Abhisit said. “Adequate security measures will be provided to foreign leaders.
“What happened to me would never happen to other leaders," he affirmed.
The prime minister's car was attacked by Red Shirted UDD protesters as he departed the weekly Cabinet meeting in Pattaya, enroute to Bangkok.
He added that 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)
The prime minister, interviewed on a TV Channel 9 morning news programme, said he has no reason to resign and that he has made his position clear that all of his government’s actions must be in accord with the democratic system and democratic values.
He affirmed the government and the security forces will only apply lawful responses to the protest.
Threats by protesters will not force the government to take any inappropriate action, he said, adding that he was confident the protest would be short-lived.
Meanwhile, UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan warned that if the United Front’s demands are not met, the protest may end up in Pattaya, on the doorstep of this weekend’s meetings of ASEAN with the regional organisation’s critical dialogue partners, ASEAN+3 and ASEAN+6.
Mr. Jatuporn, a ‘core leader’ of the UDD said the Abhisit government came to power illegitimately and therefore has no authority to host the summit.
The UDD leader said Thursday and Friday is a critical period as anything could happen.
The protest against the government has come close to the climax of its last journey, Mr. Jatuporn said, and there will be winners and losers.
UDD demonstrators rallying at Privy Council President Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda’s home as well as at Government House and the Royal Plaza issued an ultimatum Wednesday afternoon demanding the resignations of four key persons within 24 hours -- Gen. Prem and two other privy councillors, Gen. Surayud Chulanont and Charnchai Likhitjittha, along with Mr. Abhisit.
The protesters announced they would remain at Gen. Prem’s residence for at least three days.
Prime Minister Abhisit dismissed the ultimatum as being impractical, and said that the demands of the protesters were quite confused.
Regarding the upcoming ASEAN meeting, Mr. Abhisit said the protest would not disrupt the summit of the ten member states and six other partner states which opens Friday in Pattaya.
The premier said the government will not postpone the ASEAN meeting, but that military security could supplement the police personnel in handling the situation to maintain law and order.
"I’m confident there will no repeat of Tuesday’s incident,” Mr. Abhisit said. “Adequate security measures will be provided to foreign leaders.
“What happened to me would never happen to other leaders," he affirmed.
The prime minister's car was attacked by Red Shirted UDD protesters as he departed the weekly Cabinet meeting in Pattaya, enroute to Bangkok.
He added that 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)
