Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, left, greets a foreign diplomat at Government House yesterday to explain the post-coup political situation as part of efforts to repair the country’s reputation.

Finnish Ambassador Lars Backstrom, representing the European Union, told reporters newly appointed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said his government would do so, but no date was given.

"The EU member states feel it is important to set a few benchmarks," he said after meeting with Surayud, who was installed as premier by military leaders after they ousted Thaksin Shinawatra on Sept 19.

"One important benchmark is the lifting of martial law. We would like to have that done without delay and the prime minister promised us he was working on it."

Surayud told Bangkok-based diplomats yesterday he was determined to solve the crisis in the far South during his year in office.

In his first meeting with foreign delegations since being appointed, Surayud said his priority tasks were solving the political deadlock and tackling violence in the South.

Surayud said he was familiar with the region and believed that creating mutual understanding was crucial to solving its problems. The government would look for peaceful solutions to end the violence.

Backstrom said European diplomats were very pleased that the new government would concentrate on finding peaceful solutions "so that people in the South don't have to live with bullets and bombs, that they can live peaceful lives like everybody else".

The meetings were divided into several sessions throughout the day based on geographical areas, beginning with Asean countries, then Asia and Africa, America and the Pacific, Europe and international organisations.

Surayud emphasised to the diplomats that he took the post out of necessity and did not expect to continue the position after the stated timeframe of one year in the interim government. He assured them he had handpicked the Cabinet members himself and they were honest and capable. Their work would be based on four principles: economy of resource, transparency, justice and efficiency.

Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jiu Suan said he was very pleased with the meeting. "If Thai people are satisfied with the new government, our government is also satisfied. We insist we will not intervene in our neighbour's internal affairs," Zhang said.

While a number of ambassadors congratulated the premier and expressed confidence that Thailand would once again prosper, several others raised concerns.

The European Union diplomats, who issued a statement late last month, voiced concern about martial law. "We would like to see it be lifted without delay," said Backstrom, whose country is the current chair of the EU.

The EU was also concerned about the time it would take for democracy to return. "In our opinion, one year is a long time. We would like to see democracy return earlier to Thai people, where it belongs," Backstrom said.

New Zealand Ambassador Brook Barrington seconded the opinion. He called for a free and fair election, and said it should be done soon. In response, Surayud said he would see if it was possible to hold the election in less than a year.

The European diplomats also mentioned human rights and civil liberties. Surayud said the government had not suppressed public opinion.

Surayud also assured diplomats that Thai foreign policies would have continuity, and the government would honour agreements made by the previous government.

British Ambassador David Fall asked about the Free-Trade Area agreement. Surayud said the interim government would continue the work but doubted how much it could do within such a short time.

Surayud's first trip abroad begins this weekend. He is due to visit Laos on Saturday and Cambodia on Sunday.

Sopaporn Kurz

The Nation