No pressure to fire FM Kasit : PM

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday dismissed speculation of military pressure to force out Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

"Following Kasit's return from New Zealand, I will talk with him and clear up any misunderstanding," he said.

Kasit likely had not been irked by the alleged moves by the military, but was just responding to a leading question by asking the reporter to name the officer who made the remarks about his exit so that he could give a proper reply, he said.

There was no military pressure nor any involvement of the top brass in trying to exert influence over his government, he said.

Critics should think things through before commenting on the fate of Kasit, he said.

Kasit had reported to police for questioning concerning the closure of Suvarnabhumi Airport in December. He has not been indicted although police said they were gearing up to classify the airport seizure as an act of international terrorism.

Abhisit said he remained firm in allowing Kasit to continue his work, particularly chairing the high-profile Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting in Phuket next week.

He denied trying to circumvent ethical standards for office holders, saying legal proceedings had just started against Kasit and no formal charges had been filed yet.

Kasit was cooperating with the police investigation and that was not impairing his job or credibility, he said.

The legal process would be allowed to run its course, he said, rejecting criticism that his government was either trying to protect Kasit or pulling strings to file a stiff terrorism charge to use as a reason to remove him.

Army chief General Anupong Paochinda said he could not comment on news that a group of military officers was demanding Kasit's ouster.

"Please listen carefully, I have no involvement in politics and the reports about Kasit originated within media outlets, so reporters should ask among themselves to clarify their news sources," he said.