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78439
Fri, 09/04/2009 - 18:20
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http://m.oananews.org//node/78439
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Red Shirts cancel Saturday rally, postpone to coup anniversary
BANGKOK, Sept 4 (TNA) - Key leaders of the anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) on Friday announced the cancellation of their planned mass rally this Saturday, but vowed to hold a major protest on September 19 to mark the third anniversary of the coup which toppled then premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
Leaders Veera Musikapong and Nattawut Saikua of the so-called Red Shirts told a news conference after evaluating the situation that although this Saturday’s rally is cancelled, the movement agreed to hold seminars for regional Red Shirt leaders from this weekend until September 19.
Mr Veera said the first seminar will kick off between September 12-13 for Red Shirt activists in the capital.
Mr Veera vowed the mass rally will be held instead on September 19 at the Royal Plaza to mark the third anniversary of 2006 coup although the government will re-enforce the Internal Security Act (ISA).
The UDD earlier postponed their mass gathering from August 30 until September 5 citing the government’s exaggerated and unnecessary actions regarding the ISA enforcement in Bangkok's Dusit district where the protesters had planned to demonstrate between August 29 to September 1.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Wednesday that the government will re-impose the ISA to maintain law and order on September 19 as there might be other groups of people joining the rally to mark the third year anniversary of the 2006 coup.
The UDD’s Nattawut said postponement of the mass rally to September 19 is aimed at showing the power of people who want to oppose the coup, while before that day, the Red Shirt activists will attend their group's activities to enhance the strength of their movement.
Mr Nattwut added that the protesters will not march to Government House on September 19 as earlier planned, but will demonstrate at the residence of Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanond.
"During the past three years, we have believed that he (Gen Prem) was behind the 2006 coup," said Mr Nattawut, "Our gathering will begin in the afternoon and we will march to Gen Prem's residence when we are ready."
Mr Nattawut affirmed, however, that the UDD rally will be held until the morning of September 20 and that the crowd will disperse peacefully. (TNA)
Leaders Veera Musikapong and Nattawut Saikua of the so-called Red Shirts told a news conference after evaluating the situation that although this Saturday’s rally is cancelled, the movement agreed to hold seminars for regional Red Shirt leaders from this weekend until September 19.
Mr Veera said the first seminar will kick off between September 12-13 for Red Shirt activists in the capital.
Mr Veera vowed the mass rally will be held instead on September 19 at the Royal Plaza to mark the third anniversary of 2006 coup although the government will re-enforce the Internal Security Act (ISA).
The UDD earlier postponed their mass gathering from August 30 until September 5 citing the government’s exaggerated and unnecessary actions regarding the ISA enforcement in Bangkok's Dusit district where the protesters had planned to demonstrate between August 29 to September 1.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Wednesday that the government will re-impose the ISA to maintain law and order on September 19 as there might be other groups of people joining the rally to mark the third year anniversary of the 2006 coup.
The UDD’s Nattawut said postponement of the mass rally to September 19 is aimed at showing the power of people who want to oppose the coup, while before that day, the Red Shirt activists will attend their group's activities to enhance the strength of their movement.
Mr Nattwut added that the protesters will not march to Government House on September 19 as earlier planned, but will demonstrate at the residence of Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanond.
"During the past three years, we have believed that he (Gen Prem) was behind the 2006 coup," said Mr Nattawut, "Our gathering will begin in the afternoon and we will march to Gen Prem's residence when we are ready."
Mr Nattawut affirmed, however, that the UDD rally will be held until the morning of September 20 and that the crowd will disperse peacefully. (TNA)
