Red leaders want bail as soon as they surrender, govt says it's up to court; Protesters say Abhisit, Suthep must bear responsibility for Apr 10 deaths; PM wants red bosses to decide by tomorrow on accepting peace deal
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's road map for national reconciliation is stalled with the government unable to reach common ground with protesters over a covert deal on criminal charges against the red shirts' leaders.
The red shirts have openly said they did not demand an amnesty against charges of terrorism or lese majeste but they want bail immediately when they turn themselves in to police after the end of the marathon protest at the Rajprasong business area, a source said.
The government would not guarantee police granting them bail and wanted the red leaders to take their chances when seeking bail in court, the source said.
Moreover, the red group wants Prime Minister Abhisit and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban to face justice and responsibility for the death of civilians in bloody clashes on April 10 at Khok Wua Intersection, Banglamphu.
"The death of people is important for us. Who will take responsibility for that incident which killed and injured hundreds of people," red shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan said.
"We don't want amnesty for our charges and we dare to face justice but the prime minister should do the same," he said. "We want the same treatment.
"We know this society wants reconciliation but we cannot leave our colleagues' deaths without getting justice for them," Jatuporn said.
Prime Minister Abhisit said in his weekly television program yesterday that red shirt leaders should decide by tomorrow if they will accept his reconciliation road map, to prevent more loss of life because of terrorist attacks.
"Do not hesitate to join the reconciliation road map to save life and prevent more economic losses. Please rush to announce an end of the rally. It will be too late to wait till May 15. Schools are about to open for new semester," he said.
"If the rally is not called off, protesters will face a very high risk. The terrorists will act again; they will use violence against protesters and their leaders," the PM said.
Red leader Nattawut Saikua said the prime minister should not force the red group to end the protest quickly, since there were still many points to work on for "real conciliation".
"The reconciliation does not simply mean the dispersal of the protest and dissolution of the Parliament - we have to think carefully how to move out of the political crisis and go to the election smoothly," Nattawut said.
"Abhisit should be well aware of the fact that so many people don't want to see an election. We should help each other to prevent a political 'accident' which could destroy our democracy," he said.
The five-point reconciliation plan was at risk from attacks such as those on security forces in Silom and Lumpini Park on Friday night.
Abhisit named suspended Army specialist Major Gen Khattiya Sawasdiphol as the mastermind and chief terrorist trying to undermine his plan for political reconciliation.
Abhisit said Khattiya also listened only to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
"I can say that Thaksin is not happy with the reconciliation plan because the process will not benefit him at all," the prime minister said.
He said the process would not allow Thaksin to get impounded assets back and would not grant him an amnesty.
Khattiya said he was not involved in attacks but Abhisit tried blaming him, as the PM was desperate and could not command the military and police to handle the situation.
"I am not afraid of you, as three of you - Abhisit, Suthep and Army chief Anupong (Paochinda) - must respond to the death of people," he told reporters.
Meanwhile, academics from the Network of Peace and Justice urged the government yesterday to lift the emergency law and for red shirt protesters to end their nearly two-month-long protest to move toward national reconciliation.
The government should also stopped bans on some media in order to enabling people to get comprehensive information from all sides.
"The national reconciliation won't happen if freedom of expression and communication is limited," the academics said in their statement yesterday.
If the government lifted the emergency law, leaders of the red group facing arrest warrants should end the protest and turn themselves in to the authorities and face justice, the academic said.
The network is a group of some 150 academics including prominent historians Chanvit Kasetsiri and Nithi Eawsriwong.