Sonthi on Friday gave an interview to Cable News Network (CNN) during which he was reportedly asked if he had anything to say to Thaksin. Asked by reporters after the interview, the general said he had only one short message for the former premier.

 "I said he must first think how to properly show his love to the country in anything he will do. This is not just for him alone but the same for Thais anywhere," Sonthi said.

CNN yesterday interviewed Sonthi for about an hour after it earlier aired an interview with Thaksin in its "Talk Asia" show about two weeks ago.

The CNS, which was created from the junta that toppled Thaksin's government on September 19 last year, responded with concern that the publicity given to what Thaksin said could cause disunity while efforts to restore the country's political stability are underway.

Sonthi also reportedly told CNN that the lifting of martial law in 41 provinces officially took effect yesterday after the action was announced in the Royal Gazette. The interim Cabinet installed by the military council approved the partial abolition of the martial law on November 28 last year.

"Without martial law, troops are no longer empowered to conduct an immediate search of areas of security risks. Only police can do that under a court's approval," he said.

According to Sonthi, his interview yesterday covered several subjects including the investigations of the bombing incidents in Bangkok on New Years Eve; progress in the constitution drafting process and the interim government's reaction to Singapore's hosting of a meeting between Thaksin and its deputy prime minister.

Asked by CNN if he has been in direct contact with Thaksin since the coup, Sonthi said no - and had only conversed with people close to the former premier.

On the bombing probes, the general said the CNS was not involved in the investigations detaining a number of military personnel and civilians for questioning. Of the 19 men taken into police custody over the past week, 18 had been released. Sonthi earlier said the national police chief must take responsibility if any scapegoats were taken as suspects.

On the constitution drafting, Sonthi said the CNS has no role in the process and the drafting will take place under exclusive responsibility of the Constitution Drafting Committee.

The Nation