Thaksin To Attend Human Rights Violation Hearing In US

[webfact]

Thaksin to attend human rights violation hearing in US

BANGKOK, Dec 6 - Thailand's ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra will visit the United States next week to testify on alleged human rights violations during Bangkok's deadly April-May political demonstrations after having been invited by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), according to his legal advisor Noppadon Pattama.

Mr Noppadon said Monday that the ex-premier is scheduled to arrive Washington Dec 16 after receiving an invitation letter from the CSCE a few days ago to give information regarding reported human rights violations in Thailand to the commission's hearing to be held mid-December.

The Thaksin legal adviser said the hearing focuses on human rights violations during the political disorder in April and May which led to a number of deaths and injuries as well as following up on the insurgency situation in Thailand's three restive southern provinces, and the violation of freedom of expression of the media and public opinion which have been caused by the enforcement of a state of emergency.

Mr Noppadon, who was foreign minister during the Samak Sundaravej administration, said that the deposed premier believes the hearing will be a good opportunity for him to give another version of facts on the matter, apart from the information of the Thai government given via diplomatic channels.

"Mr Thaksin has accepted the invitation to go to Washington so that the commission will get to know the truth about the matter," according to his close aide.

The former prime minister, removed by coup d'stat in Sept 2006, was not in Thailand during the period in question.

Eighty-nine people, including both security personnel and Red Shirt protesters, were killed and more than 1,400 were wounded during the ten-week demonstration of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) against the Abhisit Vejjajiva government, with both sides blaming each other as the cause of violence.

The military operations to retake the protest site at Ratchaprasong intersection on May 19 prompted the Red Shirt leaders to call off the rally, followed by arson at a number of locations in Bangkok.

Key Red Shirt leaders remain jailed for having had key roles in the protest. The Thai capital and its three adjacent remain under a state of emergency.

The CSCE, also known as the Helsinki Commission, is an independent US Government agency created in 1976 to monitor and encourage compliance with the Helsinki Final Act and other OSCE commitments.

The Commission consists of nine members from the United States Senate, nine members from the US House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce.

The Commission convenes public hearings and briefings with expert witnesses on OSCE-concerned issues, organises official delegations to participating States and OSCE meetings to address and assess democratic, economic, security and human rights developments firsthand.

Meanwhile, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to the Thai Foreign Minister, said on Monday that he does not believe the convicted premier will be allowed to enter the US, while conceding that the foriegn ministry has some information about Mr Thaksin's possible visit to the US but details cannot be disclosed.

Mr Chavanond also declined to comment on whether Mr Thaksin's entry to the US will affect the image of the Thai government.

When asked if the CSCE invitation would give Mr Thaksin the privilege to enter the US, the secretary said this should be irrelevant.

Deposed by a military coup in September 2006, Mr Thaksin is now living in exile abroad after evading a two-year jail term for violating a law on conflict of interest regarding a controversial Bangkok purchase of prime land.

In May this year Thailand's Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the ousted prime minister on terrorism charges for being behind and funding the violent actions of the Red Shirts which led to grenade attacks and arson in the Thai capital and provinces in the North and Northeast during the March-May demonstrations.(MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-12-06

[webfact]

Thaksin to visit US to testify against Thai govt: Noppadon

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will visit Washington DC in the middle of the month to testify against the Thai government with a US parliamentary commission on human rights, his legal advisor said Monday.

Noppadon Pattama said Thaksin was invited to testify to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) over the crackdowns on red-shirt protesters in May and April.

Noppadon said the CSCE has sent an invitation letter to Thaksin a few days ago and Thaksin has accepted the invitation.

-- The Nation 2010-12-06

[slapout]

The record this mouthpiece has displayed for truthfulness leaves a little question as to the accuracy of this article. When the man steps foot on US shores I will believe it. Although one article that the request for his presence was mailed to his US address. Maybe he has been there all the time.

[JetsetBkk]

I hope he takes a refresher course in English before he goes. One of his great failings is his inability to communicate in English.

[meom]

<deleted> is going on? What has OSCE got to do with Thailand? Is this some sort of comedic exercise?

Maybe it's a Thai style sting operation

[Orac]

Maybe he should take an atlas with him

[hammered]

Probably a bigger irony is in the current reaction to all the dislosures of wikileaks none of which are responded to even though including crimes against humanity. That does somehow undermine in advance whatever statement follows this little operation. Im sure Mr. Amsterdam is seething in his timing.

Edited December 7, 2010 by Scott
deleted quote edited out

[animatic]

I did a check of the OSCE web site including coming hearings,

and a search of 'Thaksin' and search of 'Thailand'.

Absolutely NOTHING about either.

More Nopadum hot air.

Of course Thaksin wasn't here for any of it.

What can he testify about first hand?

Secondly he was on one side via TV and Telephony instigating one side to break laws.

Lets see him on CSPAN testifying about his speaches to Red Rallies and to stay in Rachada till they win. I doubt he would get as friendly a greeting as he might wish.

Edited December 6, 2010 by animatic

[jdinasia]

It makes you wonder (just a little bit) if THIS might be the payoff for Victor B.

Extradition of Thaksin to Thailand from the US? It would make me proud

[scorecard]

The record this mouthpiece has displayed for truthfulness leaves a little question as to the accuracy of this article. When the man steps foot on US shores I will believe it. Although one article that the request for his presence was mailed to his US address. Maybe he has been there all the time.

Agree, the local mouthpiece is about as scaly as his master.

When t was still in thailand, he had to, on several occasions scold the mouthpiece publically for his loose lips and twists of the supposed message.

On a couple of occasions t had to quickly make public statements to say the mouthpiece was not authorised to make statements on his behalf and also to quickly disassociate himself from what the mouthpiece had been spruking.

[scorecard]

It makes you wonder (just a little bit) if THIS might be the payoff for Victor B.

Extradition of Thaksin to Thailand from the US? It would make me proud

Can anybody answer the following questions:

1. Is t barred from entry to the US?

2. This Helsinki Commision, what sort of a set up is this? Is it just sit and listen to t talk? Or would there be people there who are tasked to (and have sufficient background knowledge) to ask detailed relevant questions and to, if needed, challenge what t says?

Just another thought, has this OSCE / Helsinki Commission ever investigated t for his human rights abuses?

Wonder if someone should bring that to their attention and they could interview him on two cases at the same time.

Edited December 6, 2010 by scorecard

[Piengrudee]

This is a trap. This is the 2nd half of the Bout-Thaksin exchange deal. Thai government jet may be parked in US waiting already.

[scorecard]

I did a check of the OSCE web site including coming hearings,

and a search of 'Thaksin' and search of 'Thailand'.

Absolutely NOTHING about either.

More Nopadum hot air.

Of course Thaksin wasn't here for any of it.

What can he testify about first hand?

Secondly he was on one side via TV and Telephony instigating one side to break laws.

Lets see him on CSPAN testifying about his speaches to Red Rallies and to stay in Rachada till they win. I doubt he would get as friendly a greeting as he might wish.

Hi Animatic,

Are you in fact saying that this will be broadcast on public TV or radio (CSPAN) in the US?

Wouldn't that be interesting to listen to!

[rgs2001uk]

This is a trap. This is the 2nd half of the Bout-Thaksin exchange deal. Thai government jet may be parked in US waiting already.

For once I actually agree with something Kh P says.

Not just Kh P but many here in Bkk have said the same thing to me, Thailand gave Bout to America in exchange for Thaksin.

[powderpuff]

That's rich. A scumbag who killed a lot of people for alleged drugs offenses or so his kid could become the drugs kingpin is going to testify on human rights.

Like a prostitute speaking on the virtues of celibacy.

[Insight]

Does Ambassador Ken Adelman have anything to do with this one?

[SkyHigh]

The day he gets his foot on US soil. I'll smile to Thaksin haters and say

Are you ok ?

lol

[alstaxi]

This is a trap. This is the 2nd half of the Bout-Thaksin exchange deal. Thai government jet may be parked in US waiting already.

shhhhhh, dont tell tacky.

[dogleg]

<deleted> is going on? What has OSCE got to do with Thailand? Is this some sort of comedic exercise?

It's actually stated the invite is from the CSCE, but same goes.

Edited December 7, 2010 by Scott
deleted quote edited out

[faranginexile]

This is a trap. This is the 2nd half of the Bout-Thaksin exchange deal. Thai government jet may be parked in US waiting already.

This is an interesting take on things. While it would be an elegant and appropriate payback for the Bout outcome, it would also appear to be exceedingly bad form to invite an exile to a government hearing and then arrest him.

But hey, it happened with Pinochet (and, with any luck, will someday happen to Little Bush if he ever dares to venture outside the U.S.), so it's not entirely beyond the pale.

Of course, the flipside to all this is that if they did invite Thaksin to testify - about the murderous protests he funded, no less - and then allowed him to come and go as he pleases, that would be quite an insult to a government that very recently did you a huge favor by extraditing Mr. Bout.

And by the way, this is all real. I just called the committee office and they confirmed that "something is going to happen" involving Thaksin on the 16th.

[faranginexile]

The day he gets his foot on US soil. I'll smile to Thaksin haters and say

Are you ok ?

lol

And what will you say when he's arrested, a la Pinochet?

[TAWP]

At first I thought it would be about his years in power, but apparently...it is not...

[animatic]

I did a check of the OSCE web site including coming hearings,

and a search of 'Thaksin' and search of 'Thailand'.

Absolutely NOTHING about either.

More Nopadum hot air.

Of course Thaksin wasn't here for any of it.

What can he testify about first hand?

Secondly he was on one side via TV and Telephony instigating one side to break laws.

Lets see him on CSPAN testifying about his speaches to Red Rallies and to stay in Rachada till they win. I doubt he would get as friendly a greeting as he might wish.

Hi Animatic,

Are you in fact saying that this will be broadcast on public TV or radio (CSPAN) in the US?

Wouldn't that be interesting to listen to!

Hi Scorecard, well government committees and the like usually do get time on CSPAN, as a public service. So this might also be, since senators are in charge and they love face time with the public.

If there was anything that suggested this is anything but Nopadum just mouthing on a set schedule. It is droll to hypothesize about Thaksin doing his spurious little dog and pony show, getting asked questions he'd rather not be, with no 'don't talk to the hand sign' to hold up and shut them up.... and then he gets picked up on the Senate steps for a Interpol warrant. A certain palpable frisson in that scenario!

And a 'quid pro quo krab!'

Edited December 6, 2010 by animatic

[Ayutthaya69]

At first I thought it would be about his years in power, but apparently...it is not...

so Thailand send Viktor Bout to the USA maybe its the deal beetween Usa n Thailand so USA Send Thaksin to Thailand Deal or no Deal Deal hehhe

[Buchholz]

Noppadon Pattama, legal representative for Thailand's former PM Thaksin Shinawatra speaks during a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand (File Photo)

Thaksin to Visit US to Testify in Human Rights Briefing

An aide to Thaksin Shinawatra says Thailand's former prime minister will visit Washington next week to testify about the political and human rights situation in Thailand.

Noppadon Pattama, the legal representative for Mr. Thaksin, said Monday that the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe has invited him to testify in the U.S. capital on December 16.

Continues:

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Thaksin-to-Visit-US-to-Testify-in-Human-Rights-Briefing--111382939.html

VOA News - December 6, 2010

[Buchholz]

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra poses for a photograph near Lake Victoria in Uganda

Thai ex-PM Thaksin invited to brief U.S. human right commission

Ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is prepared to travel to the U.S. to testify on human rights and political situation in Thailand, a close aide said on Monday. Thaksin has been invited by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, a U.S. human rights body, to testify before the commission on Dec. 16 in Washington, D.C. at a briefing titled "Thailand: Democracy, Governance and Human Rights".

Thaksin is likely to talk about the military crack-down on anti-government red-shirt protesters in May this year, Thai-language Krungthep Turakij online quoted Noppadol Pattama, a legal advisor to Thaksin, as saying. Noppadol said this would be a good chance for Thaksin to explain to the U.S. government officials and congressmen on the current political situation in Thailand.

English-language Bangkok Post reported that the invitation, dated Nov. 23 and signed by U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin, the commission's chairman, was sent to Thaksin's address in Washington.

Continues:

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/7222519.html

Xinhua - December 6, 2010

[Buchholz]

Foreign ministry ready to proceed extradition request of Thaksin from US if asked

BANGKOK, Dec 6 - Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday said it is prepared to send an extradition request for ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra to the United States if requested by the Office of Attorney-General as the deposed premier plans to testify on Thailand's crackdown of anti-government protesters in Bangkok to a US agency next week.

Acting foreign ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi remarked after Thaksin legal adviser Noppadon Pattama announced that the convicted ex-premier accepted an invitation from the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) to testify on alleged human rights violations during Bangkok's deadly political demonstrations.

Mr Noppadon earlier said Mr Thaksin will arrive Washington Dec 16 and the CSCE briefing will consider alleged human rights violations during the political disorder in March-May which led to a number of deaths and injuries as well as following up on the insurgency situation in Thailand's three southernmost provinces, and the violation of freedom of expression of the media and public opinion which have been caused by the enforcement of a state of emergency.

Mr Thani, who is also deputy director-general of the foreign ministry's Department of Information, said the Thai embassy in Washington has informed Bangkok of possible appearance of the deposed premier there and that the Thai ambassador to Washington has also been invited to attend the briefing.

Mr Thani said the CSCE is an independent agency and it plans to hold a briefing on Thailand's situation, adding he does not know if Mr Thaksin will be allowed to enter the country as it depends on the consideration of the US authorities.

As Mr Thaksin has an outstanding arrest warrant on terrorism charges, the spokesman said, Thailand has an extradition treaty with the US in effect but it depends on the decision of the Office of Attorney-General (OAG).

"If the OAG coordinates with the foreign ministry (to seek extradition of the ex-premier), we are ready to proceed with the request," said Mr Thani, "but until now no request has been made as Mr Thaksin's address in the US must be identified first."

Deposed by a military coup in Sept 2006, Mr Thaksin now lives in exile abroad after evading a two-year jail term for violating a law on conflict of interest regarding a controversial Bangkok purchase of prime land.

Thailand's Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him on terrorism charges for being behind and funding the violent actions of the Red Shirts which led to grenade attacks and arson in the Thai capital and provinces in the North and Northeast during the March-May demonstrations.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva commented on Monday that he is uncertain regarding Mr Thaksin's purpose in 'clarifying' to the CSCE on the human rights violations in the kingdom and that he has to wait for clearer details on Mr Thaksin's visit.

Mr Abhisit added the foreign ministry is duty-bound to consider whether they should seek the extradition of the fugitive premier or not.

-- TNA 2010-12-06

[AleG]

I suppose Thaksin has a thing or two to testify about human rights abuses in the southern provinces.

[elliss]

wilkileaks ,

USA , are to nominate thaksin ,

for a peace prise .

not a lot of people know that. :jap:

[Buchholz]

US on the spot over Thaksin

Ex-PM invited to speak at US forum on military crackdown, says Noppadon; extradition an issue if allowed to enter

US authorities have been presented with a political hot potato, as former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra hopes to visit Washington to provide testimony to the US Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE).

The panel has invited him to provide information this month on the military crackdown in Bangkok this year, his legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said yesterday.

The US Embassy in Bangkok was not available for comment yesterday when asked whether Thaksin would be allowed to enter the country.

Thaksin has not visited the United States since he was ousted as Thailand's prime minister by a military coup in September 2006 while he was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to the foreign minister, said he believed Thaksin would not be able to enter the United States, but he did not say why he thought this was the case.

The Foreign Ministry has learned about his planned visit but could not provide any details, he said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday: "I don't know what he would say there, but as far as I know he was heavily mentioned in a previous US Congress session."

The Foreign Ministry will verify whether Thaksin will actually go the United States to provide testimony, he added.

Noppadon said in an e-mail to the media that Thaksin had been invited to testify to the CSCE in the middle of the month over the crackdowns on red-shirt protesters in April and May. The commission sent the invitation a few days ago and Thaksin has accepted it, he said.

The CSCE, also known as the Helsinki Commission, is an independent US government agency created in 1976 to monitor and encourage compliance with the Helsinki Final Act and other commitments of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

It comprises nine members from the US Senate, nine from the House of Representatives and one each from the departments of State, Defence and Commerce.

Thailand's domestic affairs come under the attention of the commission as the country has been an OSCE cooperation partner since November 2000.

Noppadon said the senators on the CSCE wanted Thaksin to provide information and evidence during a hearing in Washington regarding human-rights violations in Thailand.

He claimed the CSCE particularly wanted to delve into the crackdowns on anti-government demonstrators in April and May, during which more than 90 people were killed and more than 2,000 injured.

He said the commission also wanted Thaksin to brief it about the situation in the deep South and violations of freedom of expression and press freedom, which, he said, had been restricted by the state of emergency imposed earlier in the year.

Former foreign minister Noppadon insisted Thaksin had not offered to testify, but was responding positively to an invitation to give information to the panel.

Thaksin regarded it as a good occasion to provide the United States with the other side of the story of what had taken place in April and May, the Thai government having already given information to the US administration and Congress.

"I can say that Thaksin will definitely not do anything to cause damage to the country. He will simply give the truth to the panel," he said.

Acting Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said the Thai Embassy in Washington had informed the ministry about Thaksin's invitation to appear.

The ambassador, Kittiphong na Ranong, was also invited to join the forum, he said.

Asked whether Thaksin would be able to attend, Thani said it was up to the US authorities to decide whether to allow him into the country.

Asked whether Thailand would seek his extradition if the former prime minister entered the country, Thani said the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) would be responsible for making such a decision.

Thailand and the United States have an extradition agreement and the attorney-general could seek extradition if he were able to verify Thaksin's presence on US soil, he said.

However, Sirisak Tiyapan, director of the OAG's International Affairs Department, said it would be for the Foreign Ministry and the Police Commission to request extradition. Unless the two agencies made such a request, the OAG has no authority to do anything, he said.

"The Foreign Ministry and the police have done nothing [in this regard] so far," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-07