TOT's board of directors yesterday clarified an Army unit's request for the state agency's support in providing a so-called electronic intelligence system related to national security in the deep South.

The move followed the denunciation of a request last week by ousted TOT acting president Vuthiphong Priebjrivat, who said an Army unit had asked for TOT support in the provision of electronic devices worth Bt800 million for a national-security project in the South. Vuthiphong questioned why the Army did not use its own budget instead of seeking support from financially weak TOT.

The board said the Army's letter, which arrived at TOT on June 4, asked for the state agency's support in the procurement of an electronic intelligence system to enhance national security in the South.

The board, chaired by General Saprang Kalaya-namitr, examined the request on June 15 before making a decision in principle last Thursday to support the project, given that it was for national-security purposes.

It also asked TOT staff to meet the requesting Army

unit, to study details of the request for the board's consideration.

"There is no mention of Bt800 million in the letter at

all, and the board has yet to

give final approval for support," said TOT director Djitt Laowattana.

When asked why the Army did not use its own secret budget to support the project, acting TOT president Colonel Natee Sukonrat said the Army's secret budget was earmarked mainly for creating human intelligence networks. He said it would also take time to seek financial support from related ministries, given the bureaucratic process, and the requesting unit might have believed TOT could provide quick support, knowing that TOT chairman Saprang understood the situation in the South well.

While Vuthiphong pointed out last week that the request letter lacked key details, Natee yesterday said key details could not be mentioned in it, because it was a matter of national security.

Bannawit Kengrien, an adviser to the TOT chairman, strongly denied reports that the system was for eavesdropping but declined to give any details.

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