Democrats tell junta: Dispel lingering doubts
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday urged coup makers to clarify their true intentions in light of growing criticism that they are clinging to usurped power instead of rectifying the political flaws cited for military intervention.
"The Council for National Security (CNS) should dispel lingering doubts that it may stay in power indefinitely rather than handing it back to the people," he said. Although CNS chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin and Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont clearly refused to cling to power, other CNS members might have ulterior motives, he added. Abhisit was speaking ahead of today's press conference organised by the CNS to report on its performance since the September 19 military coup. Critics of the military intervention said the CNS had made no headway in resolving four issues cited as justification for overthrowing the Thaksin Shinawatra government. The four issues were social division, corruption, collapse of the system of checks and balances and suspicious activities seen as offensive to the monarchy. Abhisit said the CNS had to explain itself if it wanted to win the public's trust. The CNS and its interim government should spell out clearly how to resolve the pertinent issues before reverting to democracy, he said. In the upcoming debate on the policy statement on Friday, the interim government should outline specific agendas and a timeframe needed to accomplish them within its one-year term, he said. He also called for the lifting of martial law, saying its enforcement would fuel tensions instead of ensuring peace. "Strict law enforcement can ensure justice and deter any subversive activities while martial law has proved for the past month that it was no more effective than regular laws," he said. He reminded the CNS to quickly uproot the tentacles of power left by the Thaksin government. The failure to prosecute corrupted politicians might trigger a public backlash against the coup, he said. Commenting on lobbying efforts by Thaksin's wife, Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, he said government and military leaders had to be cautious not to fall prey to political tricks. Thai Rak Thai Party legal adviser Peeraphan Phalusuk voiced suspicion that certain CNS members might try to influence the writing of the new charter to pave way for their grip on power. To empower the CNS to stay in control, the new charter may opt for an appointed Senate and enforce transitional provisions designed to override elected representatives, he said.
|
