Nod For Screening Panel For Censure Allegations; Thailand

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Nod for screening panel for censure allegations

By The Nation

Vetting of evidence is being done to eliminate fabrications: Democrat whip

Coalition whips have backed the formation of a screening panel for the support materials, including videos, to be presented during the censure debate next week.

"The vetting of evidence is a precautionary measure to foil any attempts to circulate fabricated stories," Democrat whip Thanitpol Jayanandana said yesterday.

The debate is tentatively scheduled to start on Tuesday next week.

The opposition has yet to make a formal reply to the government's proposal, but Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan indicated dissatisfaction with the idea on grounds that it would let the no-confidence targets gain advance access to the evidence.

Citing precedents in past grillings, Thanitpol said the coalition, opposition and House secretariat should have equal representation on the panel.

"Without the checks on evidence, some video clips might be doctored," he said.

Even though opposition lawmakers might claim responsibility for the evidence in their possession, the damage to society was far greater than an individual's accountability, he said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the opposition and its supporters should wait and hear the rebuttals instead of jumping to conclusions about him and the nine other censure targets.

Critical banners have been displayed by the red shirts who dog him at public events.

"The truth will come out during the censure debate and the people can judge the culprits behind the bloodshed," he said in reference to a sign blaming him and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban for the crackdown on red protesters last year.

It was underhanded for the red shirts to try to disrupt his public appearances, but their activities would have no bearing on his decision for an early election, he said.

Regardless of political colours, true democracy advocates would allow their rivals to campaign freely so the vote would be open and fair, he said.

This week he would meet with the Election Commission to discuss the poll date and time needed for ballot preparations. The EC has budgeted Bt3.8 billion to hold the election.

The Pheu Thai Party released the findings of its straw poll on the coalition's seven weaknesses.

They include the prime minister's lack of compassion, rising cost of living, incompetent policies such as the pricing of eggs by weight, rampant corruption and the incurring of public debt on an unprecedented scale.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said his main opposition was ready to take on the government anytime, but the coalition was resorting to delaying tactics by faulting the opposition for incomplete signatures on the no confidence motion.

-- The Nation 2011-03-07