Horse-trading finally over, says Thamarak
Caretaker Defence Minister Thamarak Isarangura yesterday chaired a final meeting with the top brass to draw up the list of military rotations.
"I called the meeting because there were some complaints about political meddling in the military line-up," he said.Even though Thamarak insisted on filling key positions without political pressure, Supreme Commander General Ruengroj Mahasaranont and Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin were summoned for separate meetings with caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin held private talks with Ruengroj first and then Sonthi at Baan Phitsanulok immediately after Thamarak's meeting. Afterwards Thamarak and his top commanders confirmed they had finalised the military reshuffle, ending the horse-trading negotiations that had dragged on for weeks. In a negotiated outcome for the highly contested post of permanent secretary of the Defence Ministry, Joint Chief of Staff General Lertrat Ratavanich is slated to secure the position. Lertrat has edged out his rival for the post, Admiral Bannawit Kengrien, who is expected to move from his current position of deputy permanent secretary for Defence to become the deputy supreme commander. The Defence Ministry has scheduled to forward the new military line-up to Thaksin later this week. He will then submit it for royal approval. The Nation
|
