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Published on December 2, 2007

The source, who asked not to be named, said such a resolution would be the best way out both for the CNS and the EC itself. The CNS, said the source, would not lose much of its reputation while the EC would not be under pressure.

According to the source, the EC seemed to agree that though the CNS had failed to uphold a position of neutrality, the CNS had no need to be held accountable as the action took place before the enactment of the Election Decree.

"People Power Party leader Samak Sundaravej would also be satisfied with this resolution, as the party has failed to provide concrete evidence against the CNS. The document Samak had was a photocopy that could not be used as evidence in court," said the source.

The CNS on Friday sent a petition asking the EC to review the conclusion of its fact-finding committee, which last week voted 4-3 to hold the junta responsible for failing to uphold neutrality. General Somjet Boontha-nom, director of the CNS Secretariat, who signed the petition, explained to reporters that the petition was aimed at preventing public confusion and misunderstanding.

The CNS said in its petition that its actions were part of its operations resulting from the September 2006 coup and were sanctioned by the interim and current charters.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont defended the CNS's move, saying its petition had not interfered in the work of the EC.

Surayud said he believed the CNS was simply explaining its operations to the EC after the fact-finding panel had concluded that the junta had acted with bias ahead of the upcoming election.

Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaratglin said he had nothing to do with the CNS petition. He said he had not talked to the CNS because he had departed as CNS chief to accept the post of deputy prime minister.

He was responding to a question as to whether the CNS was trying to help him after the fact-finding committee concluded that the CNS had not acted impartially ahead of the upcoming election.

Sonthi insisted he did not try to cling on to chairmanship of the national committee to fight vote-buying. He said he would accept Surayud's decision if he were removed from the panel.