Sonthi warns against politicising security affairs

"I don't remember every word I said which happened a long time ago and a confused memory will muddle the issue," he said in reference to Samak's claim that he urged soldiers to oppose the PPP and its populist policies before his retirement as Army chief in September.

Sonthi said he was quoted out of context. "What I said was about the sharing of military information with my subordinates to encourage them to review the situation from a security perspective so as to map out necessary measures as a response," he said.

Commenting on the junta's classified documents against the PPP, he said he was concerned about attempts to politicise security affairs.

"Politicking and security issues should not be mixed," he said.

He said when he was the junta chief, he clearly instructed his subordinates to act in a transparent manner in safeguarding the national security even though he was aware that some of his confidential instructions might be leaked.

"We must do what is deemed necessary for the national security," he said, dismissing speculation that the junta's plan of action might violate the election law.

The soldiers were obliged to maintain security and this had nothing to do with the campaigning, he added.

Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas said he would allow the Election Commission investigation into the classified documents to run its course.

"The EC is expected to resolve the issue becaust at this juncture no one has accessed to the original copies and all the talks are based on Samak's photocopies," he said.

The Nation