ID :
17772
Tue, 09/02/2008 - 17:49
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/17772
The shortlink copeid
Army chief: Thai military won't stage coup, explores ways to end violence
BANGKOK, Sept 2 (TNA) -- Pledging that there is no possibility of a
military coup d'etat after embattled Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej
imposed a State of Emergency in the Thai capital of Bangkok early Tuesday, Army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda said unarmed military and police personnel would maintain peace and order, while officers seek ways to end the bloody violence between the pro- and anti-government demonstrators.
Gen. Anupong told a press conference after a meeting between senior
military and police officers that concerned officials would use democratic
means to finding ways to solve the ongoing political turbulence.
"Negotiations will be used in ending the problem and not simply the force
of law," said Gen. Anupong.
The Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations was
imposed shortly after dawn Tuesday, hours after the pro-government
demonstrators clashed with protesters loyal to the anti-government
People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) now occupying Government House which
houses the prime minister's office.
One person died and more than 30 others were injured in a free-for-all clash.
Mr. Samak has said that the decree would not be imposed for long, but he
did not give a timeframe when it would be lifted.
Assuring the public that Bangkok's metropolitan police and the First Army
Region, which supervises security in Bangkok and central region provinces,
could maintain peace, Gen. Anupong said he personally believed that when
both the administrative and the judiciary branches failed to end the
conflict in the country, the legislature, which is the last opportunity,
should step in to end the conflict.
"Parliament should be responsible to end this problem," Gen. Anupong said.
"If the problems cannot be resolved, the country can't survive."
When asked whether a curfew would be imposed in the capital after the
decree was issued, Gen. Anupong said it was still inappropriate to impose
a curfew because it "could affect daily life and business".
military coup d'etat after embattled Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej
imposed a State of Emergency in the Thai capital of Bangkok early Tuesday, Army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda said unarmed military and police personnel would maintain peace and order, while officers seek ways to end the bloody violence between the pro- and anti-government demonstrators.
Gen. Anupong told a press conference after a meeting between senior
military and police officers that concerned officials would use democratic
means to finding ways to solve the ongoing political turbulence.
"Negotiations will be used in ending the problem and not simply the force
of law," said Gen. Anupong.
The Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations was
imposed shortly after dawn Tuesday, hours after the pro-government
demonstrators clashed with protesters loyal to the anti-government
People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) now occupying Government House which
houses the prime minister's office.
One person died and more than 30 others were injured in a free-for-all clash.
Mr. Samak has said that the decree would not be imposed for long, but he
did not give a timeframe when it would be lifted.
Assuring the public that Bangkok's metropolitan police and the First Army
Region, which supervises security in Bangkok and central region provinces,
could maintain peace, Gen. Anupong said he personally believed that when
both the administrative and the judiciary branches failed to end the
conflict in the country, the legislature, which is the last opportunity,
should step in to end the conflict.
"Parliament should be responsible to end this problem," Gen. Anupong said.
"If the problems cannot be resolved, the country can't survive."
When asked whether a curfew would be imposed in the capital after the
decree was issued, Gen. Anupong said it was still inappropriate to impose
a curfew because it "could affect daily life and business".
