The four policies cover politics and administration, the economy, national reconciliation, and national security.

Foreign policy will be confirmed later, as requested by Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsong-kram during the meeting.

The new policies will be presented to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on October 27 with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont vowing to adopt ethics to promote political, social and economic reform. He also promised to eradicate conflict of interest that had become synonymous with the former administration of Thaksin Shinawatra.

The new administration will clarify and justify to the NLA the reasons for the coup, citing widespread lack of faith in the deposed Thaksin administration, rampant corruption and abuse of power, the widening social rift and the need to avert a full-blown national crisis.

The Surayud administration's first policy on politics and governance will pay special attention to public participation in drafting the new "permanent" constitution. It will also introduce new measures and strengthen current means to combat graft and corruption. A new law preventing conflict of interest by politicians and government officials will be enacted. A council of political development will be set up to write a blueprint for political reform.

A blueprint for utilisation of national communication resources for the benefit of the public will also be drawn up, including promotion of press freedom. The private sector will be encouraged to help government in developing the potential of civil society and local communities.

As for economic policy, stress will be laid on sufficiency economy and moral ethics. A new policy highlighting investment priority for mega-projects will be produced within three months and a blueprint on basic infrastructure development will be introduced within six months.

To bridge the political rift caused by the Thaksin administration, national reconciliation and social unity will be promoted and mutual assistance through extended family will be encouraged. Judicial reforms will aim to protect people's rights and liberties.

The policy on national security envisages greater co-operation between the public and private sectors as well as universities and communities for national defence. It will include measures to prepare the armed forces' readiness to mobilise in times of peace and war. New security threats and the ongoing violence in the deep South will also receive special attention.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation