The government yesterday called on the opposition Pheu Thai Party to first sort things out among its members before it engages in reconciliation talks.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said it appeared as if several Pheu Thai members had different views on the subject.
Pheu Thai deputy leader Plodprasop Suraswadi last Friday announced a five-point proposal calling for reconciliation talks between those involved in the political conflict. Pheu Thai's non-MP leader Yongyuth Wichaidit yesterday confirmed the stance, but added that party MPs would discuss the issue at a meeting today(Sept 7).
Abhisit, however, said Pheu Thai's stance was unclear. "They should first discuss this among themselves. It appears as if they have not yet reached a conclusion on this matter," he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is from the ruling Democrat Party, said all Pheu Thai representatives at the reconciliation talks should be endorsed by the party.
"Before they send anyone, Pheu Thai should first agree they will take this path [of reconciliation], and the representatives should be given the power to make decisions. The government is ready. They can meet either the PM, me or any other level [of the government]," he said.
Suthep noted that when government representatives held a meeting with red-shirt leaders during the recent political unrest, certain people on the red-shirt side had to leave the meeting to make phone calls "to see what the big boss wants". He was referring to fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, a major supporter of the red-shirt movement and Pheu Thai's patriarch. Suthep also said it was clear to the public that the red-shirt movement was allied with Pheu Thai.
Jatuporn Prompan, a Pheu Thai MP who leads the red-shirt movement, said yesterday that he had nothing against his party's reconciliation proposal and that the red shirts would not obstruct the effort.
However, he said, the people killed and injured during the recent political unrest also should be taken into consideration. "Any talks leading to reconciliation will have to account for the 91 lives lost and the more than 2,000 people who have lost their eyes and limbs.
Any reconciliation must not betray the lives lost and the injured," he said.
"My group will not obstruct the proposed talks, but will not let the government ignore its responsibility of the deceased," he added.
Jatuporn faces charges of terrorism and inciting unrest in connection with the recent political unrest and riots, but unlike other red-shirt leaders, he has not been in remand. He has been using his immunity as a parliamentarian to stay out of jail.
The politician also said yesterday that Pheu Thai was "not begging for reconciliation" and accused government figures, including the prime minister, of showing no readiness for talks. He said accusations linking Pheu Thai and Thaksin to violence in Bangkok and attacks on the monarchy were not healthy for reconciliation.
Abhisit, meanwhile, reiterated yesterday that the reconciliation process should start with rejecting the violence and the law-violation incidents.
"What society wants now is that politicians act in a way that supports peace. All politicians must reject violence and put the problems that need to be solved through the proper process," he said.
Suthep yesterday called on Pheu Thai to be sincere about reconciliation and to end any attacks on the monarchy.
Yongyuth yesterday insisted that his party had never supported any use of violence or political attacks and that it was loyal to the monarchy and was doing its best to protect the institution.
Speaking during a press conference at the party's headquarters, he said Pheu Thai would wait for the government's response to its proposal.
Pheu Thai deputy leader Kanawat Wasinsangworn told the press conference that he expected a positive response from the government and the ruling Democrat Party. "It's good for the two parties to come together and hold talks," he said.
In a related development, Jatuporn said yesterday that the red shirts would on September 17 place roses outside the Bangkok Remand Prison, where red-shirt leaders are being detained. He said the move was aimed at calling for release of "political prisoners who are being unfairly treated".