Thai PM Abhisit: No Swapping Viktor Bout For Thaksin

[webfact]

Thai PM: No swapping Viktor Bout for Thaksin

BANGKOK, Dec 7 - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday dismissed allegations over the extradition of alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout to the United States in exchange for the arrest of deposed Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who is scheduled to testify at a US human rights panel hearing in Washington next week.

The premier's remarks followed rumours about a swap of the two wanted men, one by the US and one by Thailand.

Thailand last month extradited the so-called 'Merchant of Death' to face trial in the US, while reports said the Thai authorities also wanted the US to arrest the convicted ex-premier who will attend a briefing in Washington Dec 16, having been invited by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE).

WikiLeaks earlier released classified documents saying the US envoy to Thailand had advised US President Barack Obama to telephone the Thai

premier directly on Mr Bout's extradition.

Mr Abhisit dismissed the allegation, saying he believes Mr Thaksin will in the end not enter the US due to many factors.

The Thai premier however conceded he has met the US leader but the talks were on general topic.

Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said regarding Mr Thaksin's invitation to Washington, that it is not considered humiliating Thailand as the CSCE is an independent agency which can invite anyone to give them information.

Dr Panitan said the government is now considering whether or not it should send a representative to give information in the briefing as the

government has regularly updated the situation to the US government.

The Thai foreign ministry cannot be involve with the clarification by Mr

Thaksin, Dr Panitan said, but what Thailand can do is to closely monitor (his movements) as he is a fugitive from the Thai justice system.

Dr Panitan however said the extradition of the fugitive ex-premier can proceed through diplomatic channels and legal procedures and for Mr

Thaksin's case, there are substantial grounds to seek his extradition.

Following the accusation of Puea Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan that the matter is a plot by the Thai and US governments to arrest Mr Thaksin, the spokesman denied the charge, saying Thailand cannot interfere with America's internal affairs.

Thaksin legal adviser Noppadon Pattama on Monday announced the convicted ex-premier had accepted an invitation from the CSCE to speak about alleged human rights violations during the political disruptions in March-May which led to as many as 91 deaths and more than 1,900 injuries. He would also speak about the insurgency in Thailand's three southern border provinces, and the violation of freedom of expression of the media and public opinion during the enforcement of the ongoing state of emergency.

The Thai foreign ministry on Monday confirmed the possible appearance of the deposed premier in Washington and that the Thai ambassador to Washington has also been invited to attend the event. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-12-07

[SergeiY]

Of course, an official statement as expected. Extradition isn't some kind of trade business on a black market.

[kujirasan]

When Best of friends Viktor arrested in Thailand, was he traveling using his real name, and a genuine passport , given there was few arrest warrant issued for him, given that he is pretty astute, how could he have screwed up so badly?

[Born2lag]

i still liked what abhisit said, talked to obama about ipad..

why would you call the president to discuss the ipad?

[phiphidon]

i still liked what abhisit said, talked to obama about ipad..

why would you call the president to discuss the ipad?

To say thank you for the gift,

" Woh, those queues in Panthip Plaza are as bad as trying to get hold of a box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, hey, there's an idea, Hey Obama, what's the chance of..................?"

[asiawatcher]

If Takky turns up I will bet there is a 50:50 chance the US will detain him for a period then maybe after some back and forth garbage between Thailand and US, may send him home but in lieu of that, 10:1 Takky won't turn up on the 16th and that will be my bet!

[vinceentz]

Come come come come.... yes a little bit closer.... no no, its not a trap... come come come come.... are you chicken?

US Cable : "Thank you for Bout... Here is Thaksin as agreed..."

[kujirasan]

Wonder all that fuss, Viktor Bout was the first person Americans contracted after talking over Iraq, his planes were the only one that flew into Baghdad and brought in supplies, dailly flights from Germany brought in prepared lunches and dinners etc, he was there, they could have nab him straight way, may there is touch WikiLeaks Anna Adrin to the whole case!

Thailand is once country, that does what America says! It is highly unlikely that he went to a place like Thailand to deal with Colombian FARC, simple reason is that they have office in Caracas , Venezuelan, he could have done deal unimpeded , with ease and delivered cargo, smoothly!

Most like the Tsareyvich(Robin/Medvedev) got rid of him, one thing is not clear how did travel, what pass port he used, there is no mention of the documents he used for travel. The only thing is now the Iranian are filling the role he played very nicely! and at half the price !