PM Abhisit unworried over Thaksin’s plan to file complaint at ICJ

BANGKOK, May 27 (TNA, Agencies) – Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday downplayed a plan by fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra to lodge a complaint at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over an arrest warrant for terrorism charges against him, saying the truth can be proved and that the Thai government will not reconcile with terrorists.

The Thai premier commented after Mr Thaksin said in his social network website on Twitter.com that he is a fighter under democratic rule and adheres to the non-violent approach of Mahatma Gandhi despite being heavily harrassed, saying he will fight for the truth in the International Court of Justice.

Mr Abhisit said the plan to lodge a complaint at ICJ by the ousted premier has been planned beforehand and that he is not worried about it as the truth of the case can be proved.

The prime minister however conceded that to move on with national reconciliation is more difficult as some groups of people are still continuing their anti-government movement.

Mr Abhisit urged all sectors to accept and become involved in the road map and reduce hatred, while the general public should help monitor and become eyes and ears for the government once the special security law is lifted.

The Thai government last week imposed a curfew in Bangkok and 23 other provinces to maintain order and prevent possible intoward incident. The government will consider whether to lift or extend the curfew on Saturday.

Regarding the House dissolution, Mr Abhisit added the decision on the issue will be made under the condition that social order is restored, while pledging his government will not reconcile with terrorists.

Just one day after a Thai court issued an arrest warrant for Mr Thaksin on terrorism charges, the fugitive deposed Thai premier gave interviews to several international media, denying the Thai government’s accusation.

Mr Thaksin was quoted as telling the Australian Broadcasting Corp. by telephone Wednesday night that “Interpol have their own criteria to judge, that is, to not be politically motivated. This is clearly politically motivated and there is no ground.”

He also told ABC that he has never supported violent protests of his Red Shirt supporters which turned into widespread arson and grenade attacks in the Thai capital and some provinces.

“The big fire … must be the work of (a) professional,” he told ABC. “As an ex-police (officer), I can assure you that this is a well planned and professionally done” act of arson”.

Mr Thaksin commented from an unspecified location while Montenegro has asked him to avoid commenting on Thai politics during his stay there after a Thai court approved an arrest warrant against him for terrorism charges on Tuesday.

The ex-premier was believed to be a mastermind and a sponsor of the anti-government movement. Other Red Shirt leaders with outstanding warrants on terrorism charges also surrendered to police to fight the case, while some of them are still at large.

Mr Thaksin also was interviewed by a Canadian newspaper, the Globe and Mail, that he is not worried over a warrant on terrorism charge, instead, he’s concerned about reconciliaion in the country as well as death of the people.

“The government uses the word reconciliation, then creates more conflict. Reconciliation feels very far away,” Mr Thaksin told the newspaper, adding that his country is now “being ruled by a junta.”

In an interview with the New York Times conducted by telephone, Mr Thaksin reasserted that he has not has financed the Red Shirt movement, saying that at the time violent protest went on, he was in Paris with his daughter.

“I am in contact with them (Red Shirts), and they ask for advice sometimes,” said the ex-premier. “During what is happening in Thailand, I’m traveling for my business in many countries. How can I become a terrorist.”

Deposed by a military coup in September 2006, Mr Thaksin is now living in exile abroad and holds a Montenegrin passport. A Montenegrin source close to Thaksin said the ex-Thai premier has returned to the Balkan country Wednesday and will stay there for the next two days before probably heading to France. (TNA, Agencies)