4/05/2010
Bangkok Post
The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) has resolved to join Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajica's roadmap for reconciliation, Veera Musikhapong said after a meeting of UDD leaders on Tuesday evening.
Mr Veera, the UDD chairman, said all red-shirt leaders made the resolution unanimously because the UDD had long proposed for it. Moreover, the UDD did not want to see more deaths and injuries as a result of the political conflict.
However, the UDD, in entering the reconciliation process, wanted the prime minister to set the timeframe for House dissolution because it is within his power to do so and leave it to the Election Commission to fix the election date.
Moreover, the government must immediately show its sincerity by ending all forms of intimidation against the red shirts, he said.
Mr Veera affirmed that the UDD leaders would not seek amnesty from being charged with terrorism and lese majeste and would be ready to fight the charges.
Nathawut Saikua, the UDD secretary-general, said the red-shirt protesters would not yet disperse until the prime minister came up with a clear time frame for the House dissolution.
Earlier in the day, Mr Abhisit said the government would go ahead with the five-point roadmap for national reconciliation with or without the UDD's participation.
Mr Abhisit said the cabinet had been informed of the plan, so it was not necessary for the parties in the coaltion to confirm their support for his roadmap, as demanded by the UDD, because he, as prime minister, holds sole power to dissolve the House of Representatives.
The prime minister admitted his roadmap was not supported by a Democrat Party resolution, but believed he would be able to explain it to the party when it meets on May 6.
The party's chief adviser, former prime minister Chuan Leekpai, earlier today reaffirmed his opposition to a House dissolution brought on by intimidation.
Mr Abhisit said the proposal was generated by his own wish to bring about national reconciliation before a general election, and denied his decision was the result of being intimidated.
The reconciliation process would not include an amnesty for anyone facing criminal charges, he said.
The prime minister said there would be no more bargaining. His proposal was made after hearing opinions from all involved groups.
If the UDD protest ended and steps could be taken to solve problems, there would be a House dissolution and a general election according to the planned timeframe.
If the UDD did not respond to the proposal, the process might face difficulties and he could not be certain an election could be held within the set timeframe.
The prime minister said if the UDD accepted his proposal, his secretary-general Korbsak Sabhavasu would be assigned to coordinate political affairs and army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda to oversee an orderly end of the protest.
Mr Korbsak and Gen Anupong could coordinate to ensure the safe movement of people out of the protest site.
The executive decree for administration in emergency situations would, however, continue to be enforced - to enable authorities to maintain security and prevent instigation of unrest through various media.
The entire process might take about two weeks to complete, Mr Abhisit said.
Fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday called on his supporters to seek reconciliation while the prime minister's offer was welcomed by Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.
"Reconciliation is good for everybody," Mr Thaksin said in a phone-in to a meeting of the opposition Puea Thai Party. "Today, don't think about the past but look to the future. That is how national reconciliation will happen.
"I think there should be a start to talks, to create a good climate," he said.
But he said he would leave it up to the red-shirt leaders to decide.
"This is far beyond me because I'm just a little person among the red-shirts," he said. "The red-shirt UDD will make a decision on the prime minister's five-point plan since I'm just an observer."
Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchayudh was full of praise for Mr Abhisit for having proposed the roadmap for reconciliation and an election date.
Gen Chavalit said a House dissolution, a general election and having the monarchy as the country's main institution are what everybody wants.
"I think what happened is good and makes us feel relieved.
"May 5, Coronation Day, is an auspicious day for all. I believe the red shirts will gradually go home and all sides will turn to seeing one another and join hands as one. We have taken a long step back," he said.
Leader of multi-coloured group Tul Sithisomwong said his group supports Mr Abhisit's proposed roadmap for reconciliation, but with some reservations.
Dr Tul, of Chulalongkorn University's faculty of medicine, said he would like to first look into details of the roadmap to see what changes were planned to the current constitution.
He personally thought the House dissolution would come too soon to solve various related problems if a general election was scheduled for Nov 14.
The government should fix a clear timeframe on what it would do before the election.
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China has pledged to provide military aid, including more than 250 trucks, exceeding an aid package scrapped by the US earlier this year after Cambodia expelled a group of Muslim Uighur asylum seekers.
Political analysts warn that such aid can embolden Cambodia to ignore its international obligations on rights issues.
Foreign Minister Hor Namhong announced the $14 million aid package, which includes 257 trucks and 50,000 uniforms, on his return from the Shanghai World Expo, where he accompanied Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Hun Sen met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and, Xinhua reported, “extended gratitude to China for the unselfish assistance to Cambodia in its social and economic development.”
(Photo: Reuters)
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