Independent panel will be formed to probe security forces-reds clashes
In a move to counter a backlash and allegations he colluded with terrorists in a bid to merely win the next election, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reiterated yesterday terrorists would not be granted clemency and political rules and regulations would not be amended without heeding public opinion, or changed in favour of his Democrat Party.
Facing mounting criticism of colluding with terrorists and the Opposition, Abhisit announced in his weekly television show that an independent committee would be formed to carry out free and fair investigations of clashes between security forces and protesters.
The PM has received both support and harsh criticism for his attempt to get the red shirts to back a road map to peace, by emphasising a new general election to be held in mid-November as the gist of the deal.
Abhisit insisted that conflicts over political rules and regulations must be ironed out but he did not promise charter amendments. However, he guaranteed that if any political rules would be changed, it would not be collusion among politicians since he would ensure that there would be a public hearing before going ahead with the changes and no rule would be changed to benefit the ruling Democrat Party.
During the TV programme, the prime minister urged red-shirt leaders to decide by tomorrow on whether to accept the reconciliation road map, to prevent more loss of life because of terrorist acts.
'SAVE LIVES, ECONOMY'
"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," the PM 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 prime minister said.
Meanwhile, Abhisit also named suspended Army specialist Major Gen Khattiya Sawasdiphol as the mastermind and chief terrorist who tried to undermine the road map to bring about political reconciliation.
The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation had earlier analysed that the person who was behind the latest bomb attack that killed two police officers and wounded 13 people near red shirts' rally sites at Sala Daeng and Lumpini on Friday night had only one goal in mind - to sabotage the peace process.
Abhisit said only a group of terrorists wanted to under-mine the peace process because once the process was done, they would be alienated and would not be able to use red-shirt people as their human shields.
"I can name names. The one who clearly showed that he is against the reconciliation road map is Major General Khattiya Sawasdhipol," the prime minister said in the second half of his weekly TV programme. The second part was broadcast live on NBT.
Abhisit said Khattiya had announced clearly that he did not want the protests to end and he had been trying to coordinate with red-shirt leaders in the provinces to counter such a decision by red-shirt leaders in Bangkok.
Abhisit said Khattiya also listened 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 reconciliation process would not allow Thaksin to get his impounded assets back and would not grant him an amnesty.
Responding to criticism that he failed to push for comprehensive reform that would rebuild the nation and prevent more political crises, Abhsit promised a standing assembly of national reform made up of respectable and acceptable figures to work on reforming the country to ensure equality and a fair society. It would be set up under a special mechanism so the body would have special authority and would continue to exist despite a change of government.
He said on Wednesday and Thursday he would hold a meeting of the National Committee to Build Strong Committees to draw up objectives for the assembly.
Under the five-point road map to peace, Abhisit said he had decided that a new law on press control would be drafted to prevent the media from causing national division by forming an independent committee to monitor the media. The monarchy would be strictly protected and any form of lese majeste would result in legal action.