Referendum under attack

Opposition chief whip Sathit Wongnongtoey said any referendum to specific individuals or groups ran counter to Article 165 of the Constitution.

"It's simply a tactic to buy some time," he said.

The Cabinet decided yesterday to hold a national referendum as a way out of the political deadlock between the government and the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Sathit said he was doubtful as to whether a referendum could help end the political unrest, since everything depended on the wording of the proposition. Biased questions would lead to an unfair outcome.

He also expressed concern that tensions could spiral out of control before any referendum could be held.

Samak is already a lame duck who should realise he has run out of options and must leave before he inflicts any more damage on the country, Sathit said.

To conduct a referendum, the government needs the referendum bill that is still pending before the Senate.

A date for the referendum is expected next month after the Senate passes the bill, said Government Spokesman Wichianchot Sukchotrat.

Senate Speaker Prasobsook Boondech said he opposed a referendum, saying it would be held too late. The Senate will hold its first reading today on the referendum bill, and the entire process will take at least a month, he said.

"We cannot wait for the bill. The present crisis requires immediate action to end it as soon as possible," the Speaker said.

He said he hoped a crucial meeting today between House Speaker Chai Chidchob, Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and himself to plan a joint session of Parliament for a debate on the political crisis would ease the tension.

Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, rector of the National Institute for Development Administration, said a referendum could not solve the crisis. The PAD probably would not accept the result, because it would have to be conducted under government mechanisms, he said.

PAD leader Somsak Kosaisuk said his group would not accept a referendum, because it was unconstitution?al. It is wrong to conduct a referendum on whether the government should stay or go.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej held an urgent meeting of his ministers at Supreme Command Headquarters at 10.30am yesterday. This followed a radio address in which he asked the people to help chart the country's future by deciding whether to safeguard democracy or opt for the "new politics" advanced by the PAD and which he said would have dire consequences.

Somsak Prissanananthakul, deputy Chart Thai Party leader and agriculture minister, proposed the idea to the Cabinet.

"We should let the people decide whether they want the PAD's 'new politics' or an elected government," Somsak said.

However, there is no clear referendum format. The Cabinet has instructed the Council of State to sort out pertinent legal issues to pave the way for the referendum. Under prescribed procedures, the Election Commission (EC) will be in charge of the voting.

All six coalition parties have pinned their hopes on the referendum to end the crisis.

Two Cabinet members, Culture Minister Somsak Kiartsuranont and Science Minister Wutthipong Chaisang, said Prime Minister Samak was optimistic the outcome of the referendum would put politics back on course and allow the country to move on.

But in the lead-up to any referen?dum vote, uncertainty will likely persist. The PAD refuses to vacate Government House and has even threatened additional measures to oust Samak. The prime minister has vowed in turn to carry on with his job. With protesters occupying the seat of government, the Cabinet next Tuesday will begin a series of mobile meetings, starting in Udon Thani.

Meanwhile, EC member Sodsri Satayathum said the EC was ready to conduct the referendum but that the government should make the questions clear.

Questions like should an outsider be allowed to be prime minister or should MPs be 30-per-cent elected and 70-per-cent appointed are allowed. But ones like should the prime minister resign are unconstitutional, she said.