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Published on September 1, 2007

Junta chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin yesterday voiced suspicion about the reportedly unreasonable terms proposed by the European Union to monitor the general election in December.

"The government and the Election Commission should get to the bottom of the matter, so as to understand what has triggered a move for foreign supervision of the polls," he said.

The negotiations for a memorandum of understanding for EU observers started at the height of the street protests after the botched elections in April last year, when the Thaksin Shinawatra administration was in power.

Sonthi said he would leave it up to the authorities to decide on terms and conditions if Thailand is to allow EU observers to monitor the balloting process.

"Actually, I view the vote as an internal affair and the country already has independent watchdogs such as the People's Network for Elections to check on the vote,

working in cooperation with

many international monitors," he said.

Election Commission (EC) secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaigarn said he was satisfied with a statement issued by the EU Presidency on Thursday, reaffirming the EU's non-interference in Thai internal affairs.

"I am still confused on how and why the EC wants to sign the MoU on monitoring the polls," he said, adding that his agency will hold talks with the EU ambassador to clarify the issue next week.

Suthiphon said the EC welcomed foreign observers if they agreed not to interfere with the supervision of the electoral process.

PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said the government had no objection to EU delegates observing the poll, although it would not sign an MoU allowing foreigners to have control over the vote.

The Nation