Free trade deal doesn't need NLA approval: Nitya

Nitya said a provision in the new charter - Article 305 (5) - allowed the government to proceed with freetrade agreements initiated before the constitution came into effect on August 24.

"Before the signing, we also provided [the public] with infor¬mation and after the signing, we revealed details to all parties too."

Nitya said measures had also been prepared to help sectors that may be affected by the agreement.

NLA member Somchai Sawaengkarn was unconvinced and told Nitya during the censure debate he and his peers may petition the Constitution Tribunal to review the legality of the freetrade pact.

Somchai also ques¬tioned why Nitya wrote two classified letters to the Cabinet secretary about the matter on two consec¬utive days. The first, dated Sept 17, suggested Cabinet get the NLA to approve JTEPA, but the second the following day dropped the suggestion, he said.

Nitya maintained there was nothing unusu¬al about the letters. The second one dated Sept 18 was a result of more thor¬ough consideration of the matter.

On Wednesday night a dozen NLA members slammed the govern¬ment, mainly over the Khao Yai Thieng land controversy and on the freetrade deal.

PM Surayud Chulanont said yesterday he would not resign and that the election would take place in December as scheduled.

by Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation