Call for newjoint debate on stand-off

Written by Admin on Thursday, September 4th, 2008

POLITICS

Call for newjoint debate on stand-off

MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

House Speaker Chai Chidchob is proposing a second joint session of parliament be called to hammer out a solution to the continuing political crisis.

Mr Chai said the idea was inspired by army commander Anupong Paojinda’s statement that the stand-off should be settled through legal and democratic means, and that parliament should take steps to end the problem.

He would raise the proposal with Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The debate would not take place until after the 2009 Budget Bill debate ends.

The House Speaker also defended his son Newin, the banned Thai Rak Thai politician who was accused of orchestrating the attack on the People’s Alliance for Democracy rally by the pro-government United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship on Tuesday.

”He is with his family. How can he be behind the [pro-government] rally? The media should have some sympathy for him,” he said.

Mr Chai challenged those who accused Mr Newin of being behind the clash to produce evidence and file a complaint with police.

Mr Abhisit, the Democrat party leader, also welcomed Gen Anupong’s comment, but said the debate should be held before the Budget Bill is passed.

However, given Mr Samak’s’s public attitude he doubted the government was ready to negotiate a solution.

The joint debate on the political crisis last Sunday had failed.

During the debate the prime minister repeated that he did nothing wrong and that there would be no change, Mr Abhisit said.

”So I do not see how we can talk.”

He said Mr Samak’s attitude had worsened the situation and heightened the risk of violence. The imposition of a state of emergency seemed to fall flat.

The Democrat leader, who proposed a House dissolution in Sunday’s debate, said he would rather not offer any suggestions.

The People Power party had already made the judgement that the Democrat party wanted to form a new government.