Government denies secret plot against Red Shirts

BANGKOK, Feb 16 (TNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban dismissed as groundless an accusation by an opposition member of parliament that the Abhisit government has a secret plan to crack down on the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

Mr Suthep spoke in response to an allegation by UDD core leader Jatuporn
Promphan, an opposition Puea Thai MP, who announced on Monday he would show what he claimed was the government’s confidential document on its plan to create a situation to crack down the Red Shirt demonstrators at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

The deputy prime minister who oversees national security said the claim that the government will create a situation and put the blame on the Red Shirts is a lie and distorted information.

“The government neither has a secret plan nor a secret meeting. How can they obtain a confidential document, when there is no secret plot,” Mr Suthep said.

The deputy prime minister however stated there is no room for complacency
despite the Red Shirt announcement Monday that they would not mount a mass rally on February 26, the date that the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is scheduled to rule on the assets seizure case of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

He assured the public that his government will continue monitoring the situation closely, particularly at critical areas and offices to ensure that no violence occurs.

“The government is well-prepared for the 10 dangerous days ahead of court
ruling on February 26 to maintain law and order,” Mr Suthep said.

Shortly afterwards, Mr Jatuporn distributed to journalists what he claimed
was a leaked 37-page plan from last Friday’s National Security Council (NSC) meeting which was chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

“The plan was not a security plan, but a plot to incite violence that will lead to the arrest of the Red Shirt leaders and the government may invoke the Internal Security Act,” Mr Jatuporn charged. “The government believes that arresting any key Red Shirt leader will cause the protest to dwindle to about 1,000 demonstrators.”

He also challenged the government to prove whether or not the secret plan
does exist.

NSC secretary-general Thawil Pliansri rejected the claim, saying no security meetings ever touched on using violence against demonstrators. “As of now, the situation is not necessary to invoke the security law.

“Deputy prime minister Suthep made it clear at the meeting that security
personnels will not carry arms but anti-riot gears to control crowd in line with international practice,” Mr Thawil said. (TNA)