Four leaders to discuss ways out of deadlock
POST REPORTERS
Four leaders of parliament will meet for extraordinary talks today to discuss political reform and the need for public input in the process if the turmoil is to end.
Parties to the talks will be Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is opposition leader, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, House Speaker Chai Chidchob and Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej.
Mr Abhisit said yesterday that any political reform must include public participation and take into account the views of all interested parties and groups. It should not be dominated by politicians or any particular groups.
"No one person should dominate political reform or the approaches to solving the problem. The aim is how to get ourselves out of the conflict and improve politics," Mr Abhisit said.
Today's meeting also follows a proposal by university rectors that an independent committee be set up to hear ideas on reforms. The findings would be put to a referendum before the charter rewrite process began.
The cabinet this week agreed that amending Article 291 of the constitution, to allow wider representation on a committee to amend the charter, would be included in the government's policy statement to parliament early next week. Article 291 allows only MPs and senators to amend the content.
Mr Prasopsuk said he agreed this would ensure there was no hidden agenda in rewriting the constitution.
The public could monitor the performance of the proposed committee and see to it that their opinions and suggestions are taken into account, the senate speaker said.
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is pushing for its own "New Politics" proposal, which is not in line with the procedure stipulated in the constitution.
Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh yesterday confirmed informal talks with the PAD were in progress, but refused to give further details.
He also denied telling reporters he would have official talks with PAD leaders on Oct 9, after the government's policy announcement.
Military leaders yesterday pledged to keep out of politics and stick to its duty of protecting the nation's sovereignty and the constitutional monarchy.
Supreme Commander Songkitti Chakkabatr gave the undertaking after a meeting with chiefs of the army, navy and air force.
"The military will be neutral and steadfast [in its objectives]," he said.
Mr Somchai's visit yesterday to Chiang Mai, the home of his wife Yaowapa, a sister of Thaksin Shinawatra, was slightly marred by a hand-clapper protest.
The trip started out fine when he was greeted by hundreds of supporters at Chiang Mai airport. In addition to a police guard, he was escorted by about 100 members of the pro-government Rak Chiang Mai 51 group.
However, during his visit to Doi Suthep Temple, a woman turned up and shook a hand clapper, often used by People's Alliance for Democracy supporters, at him. She was quickly whisked away by police.
Mr Somchai was surrounded by supporters at Wat Rong Tham Samakkhi in San Kamphaeng district where he made merit for the ancestors of the Shinawatra family.
He also promised to take care of San Kamphaeng people and those living in poverty and carry on with the work of Mr Thaksin, a native of the district.
He also said he was grateful to Mr Thaksin, who was behind his success.
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