National government idea rejected

A "national government'' could be the country's solution to the political confrontation, respected social activist Dr Prawase Wasi said yesterday.

But his proposal was rejected by the opposition and parties in the government.

According to Prawase, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is the cause of the ongoing political conflict that has shaken society to its core. 

One side suspects that Thaksin is corrupt and does not trust him and the other side loves Thaksin and wants to amend the Constitution

to help him escape the justice system.

He said to end this problem, the People Power Party, which won the most votes in the election, must change its aggressive behaviour and refrain from using force against political rivals.

Anti-government protesters must also use reason not force to avoid confrontations and accept that the PPP won the election to be the ruling coalition party.

"If the country runs into a real crisis, we have to turn the crisis into cooperation.

"A national government consisting of both government and opposition MPs must be set up and given the chance to run for one to two years.

"If I proposed this plan during a normal political situation, I would be rebuked,'' he said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat said Prawase's proposal for a national government has good intentions but the proposal has to be checked to see whether it is legally feasible.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he did not see the necessity of having a national government. He said if the government could end conflicts in the country and concentrate on solving economic problems, that would be okay.

He said the government did not have to be concerned about the opposition party.

"In the past we have never acted as an obstruction to the government. Instead we suggest advice and help the government to solve problems," he said. The best way to end the conflicts is to allow every party to participatein amending the charter, he said.