Red Shirt leaders accept PM’s road map for reconciliation, but demand specific date for House dissolution

BANGKOK, May 4 (TNA) – Thailand’s anti-government ‘Red Shirt’ United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Tuesday accepted Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s road map for national reconciliation but want the government to announce a specific date for dissolving the Lower House of Parliament.

While a preliminary understanding has been reached, the protesters will not disperse until they see details of Mr Abhisit’s road map. They said Mr Abhisit does not have the authority to see an election date, but urged him to propose a timetable for dissolving Parliament.

UDD leader Veera Musikapong told the Red Shirt protesters at Ratchaprasong intersection that the leadership had discussed and agreed unanimously to accept the premier’s five-point road map as they were previously UDD demands.

The UDD also did not want the protesters to risk losing their lives or injuries if a crackdown was to take place, he said.
However, Mr Veera said the UDD wanted to see clearer picture in some aspects that could lead to negotiation.

The protesters will not disperse until they see details of the road map.

He said that fixing the election date was not prime minister’s authority but that of the Election Commission.

The UDD leaders who faced arrest warrants would not seek for amnesty, he said.

“We want prime minister to announce a clear timeframe for dissolving the House dissolution and the UDD wants sincerity from the government by stop all kind of intimidating against the UDD. The UDD will not seek amnesty on charges including attempting to overthrow the monarchy, or terrorism. We are ready to fight the accusation,” said Mr Veera.

Meanwhile, UDD core leader Jatuporn Prompan said that what the prime minister announced about the road map was not fully under his authority, such as setting an election date.

He said the UDD wanted Mr Abhisit to specify the House dissolution date and then the protesters would enter into negotiation to see the details of the five point road map.

How the road map would be proceeded would be discussed and the UDD wanted to know the amnesty toward the politicians who were banned from politics would cover the Democrat Party which facing the dissolution or not, he said.

Mr Jatuporn also called for the government to including the bloody incidents on April 10, 22 and 28 to be cases under the Department of Special Investigation.

Mr Abhisit on Monday proposed a road map for national reconciliation to end the political crisis and set a general election on November 14.

Under the plan, the monarchy must not be used as a tool in political conflicts, but all parties should help protect and respect the institution;

Reform the country to end the conflict and restore justice in society, including increased economic equality;

Principles of the right to freedom of expression should be observed, but the media must avoid reports that could incite or instigate conflict in society;

Establishing an independent fact-finding panel on the fatalities when protesters and security forces clashed on April 10 at Ratchadamnoen Avenue’s Khok Wua intersection, at Silom Road on April 22 and at Don Mueang on April 28;

All political parties should join together in amending the Constitution, with some legal issues to be agreed upon by all sides.

Convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra earlier on Tuesday telephoned, calling for national reconciliation on the eve of the Coronation Day on May 5.

Mr Thaksin on Tuesday addressed a news conference where his legal adviser Noppadon Pattama contacted him to telephone the Thai media to challenge rumours of his death.

Mr Thaksin said May 5, Coronation Day, is an auspicious time to start a good thing and to begin reconciliation.

The ousted premier refused to comment whether he agreed with Mr Abhisit’s proposal for a fresh election on November 14, saying it has nothing to do with him, as he is banned from politics for five years and convicted by a court.

“It is up to the Red Shirts’ whether or not they accept the proposal. I’m only an observer,” the telecom tycoon-turned-politician said.

Mr Thaksin, now living in self-exile abroad to avoid a two-year jail term for violating Thailand’s conflict of interest law, also urged all parties to respect the law which must be applied to all fairly, without the double standards that have caused the current political crisis. (TNA)