prasobsook takes mediator role

Senate chief, Chai, Abhisit agree on parliamentary initiative

The Nation

Senate Speaker Prasobsook Boondech was yesterday given the heavy responsibility of trying to find middle ground between the protesters at Government House and Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who hinted that the emergency decree would soon be scrapped.

In the afternoon Prasobsook met with House Speaker Chai Chidchob and Opposition Lleader Abhisit Vejjajiva. They agreed to try to use parliamentary representation to broker a peaceful resolution to the political crisis before it spiralled out of control.

Abhisit said the three had agreed to name Prasobsook as the mediator to convince the government and the People's Alliance for Democracy to work out a compromise. Prasopsuk indicated that he would do his best.

Samak told reporters he was considering a way out of the state of emergency, which was imposed on Tuesday, though he said he needed to consult all agencies involved first.

All political parties have agreed to instruct their MPs to stop inflaming the conflict in order to allow for an atmosphere more conducive to a negotiated settlement.

Abhisit said top legislative leaders saw negotiation as the most practical way to end the turmoil because a national referendum would come too late to pull the country and its economy back from the brink of ruin.

The top lawmakers met urgently after Army chief General Anupong Paochinda made it clear on Tuesday that the military would not step into the political bickering and that Parliament must do more to find a political solution.

Anupong voiced disappointment at the August 31 parliamentary session, which saw barbs fly but failed to

produce any tangible results.

Before the three met, Chai said he was willing to convene another parliamentary session.

It was unclear how Prasobsook would accomplish his task, although he pledged to strive for a speedy solution.

The military denied any rift with the government, saying the state of emergency in Bangkok had been declared on Tuesday but formalities for it had been completed only two days later.

Lt-General Prayuth Chanocha, commander of the First Army Area, which includes the capital, dismissed notions about a possible split between the government and the military regarding enforcement of the emergency decree.

Samak on Thursday sought and received Cabinet approval to consolidate his emergency powers via some 20 laws. This sparked speculation that he might want to take those powers away from Anupong after the general showed reluctance to exercise force in quashing the protesters.

Prayuth tried to allay concern by saying that Thursday's Cabinet decision had been meant to sort out legal procedures relating to the state of emergency.

Under the emergency provisions, the PM is the designated enforcer of emergency power and has to delegate his responsibilities via a clear line of command, as specified on Thursday.

Under the new command chain, Anupong will execute emergency measures through the State of Emergency Command, comprising civilian, police and military officials. Anupong will report directly to the prime minister.