Truth And Reconciliation Commission In No Rush To Push For An Amnesty

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Commission in no rush to push for an amnesty

By The Nation

But ready to continue seeking truth

The Independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission (ITRC) yesterday expressed its readiness to continue with its mission and to work with any party for the purpose of restoring peace in the country.

However, it made it clear that amnesty was not something to talk about at this political juncture.

The Abhisit Vejjajiva-led government, which established the ITRC last year, is now stepping down. Abhisit himself yesterday announced his decision to leave the helm of the Democrat Party, taking responsibility for its defeat in Sunday's general election.

Yingluck Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai Party is now ready to become the new prime minister.

Her critics have suggested that she will try to push for an amnesty to free her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, from legal trouble.

He has been living in exile for many years to avoid serving a two-year jail term relating to a conflict-of-interest case.

Yingluck's Pheu Thai Party has also had very close ties with the red shirts who caused rioting last year.

After the mayhem, the Abhisit-led government set up the ITRC and tasked it with the mission to provide truth to the public and achieve reconciliation.

"We are ready to provide academic support and recommendations to any party for the purpose of restoring peace in society," ITRC chairman Kanit na Nakorn said yesterday.

He was speaking in response to Yingluck's vow to support his panel's work.

ITRC member Kittipong Kittaya-rak said he was glad the Pheu Thai Party was paying attention to reconciliation efforts and vowed not to interfere with his panel's work.

Kittipong said the ITRC has been trying to identify the causes of the conflict and how to ease victims' anger.

"We will try to create good understanding first. We will not mention tools such as amnesty first."

He pointed out that raising the subject of amnesty today would only push the country back into deep conflict.

Somchai Homlaor, who also sits on the ITRC, said the amnesty could be initiated only after reconciliation was achieved.

Meanwhile, Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tharit Pengdit said his agency would press ahead with the cases against red-shirt leaders.

"All cases will go ahead because I have to do my job," he said.

It is widely said that Tharit will soon be removed from his post given his close ties with the outgoing Abhisit-led administration.

"I would like to reiterate here that under my leadership, the DSI has worked in line with the law, not politicians' orders," he said. "I am not serving any particular person or any political camp.

I am just serving the country".

He added that all 19 red-shirt leaders including Jatuporn Prom-phan would be summoned this Thursday to face charges related to their alleged attempt to overthrow the monarchy.

The red shirts stepped into hot water for their speeches on a red-shirt stage on April 10.

Tharit also vowed to look into a perjury complaint against Yingluck, if he is allowed to stay on.

Yingluck is accused of giving false information to a court when she testified in defence of Thaksin in a share-concealment case.

-- The Nation 2011-07-05

[OzMick]

Is Tharit daring her to fire him, as a glaring example of conflict of both personal and party interest? Will Yingluk fall into his trap? Has conflict of interest ever stopped a Thaksin before? What excuse will they dream up? Better than the old Saturday serials!

[janverbeem]

Wasn't there during early during big bro's reign that commission to investigate corruption in the government,that was dissasembled for suspicious reasons?Something like they promoted themselves,to which most probably they were encouraged to by someone who looked at the future.

[badmedicine]

Yingluck's Pheu Thai Party has also had very close ties with the red shirts who caused rioting last year.

Very close? That would be understatement of the millenium.

Are the media already in fear of State Shinawatra that they can't just say that white is white and black is black on Day 2 of the new order? Shit, we'll be scared to even utter his name in anythinb but revered tones by September at this rate.

[Jingthing]

Get it over with already, no need to wait. Dear Leader is rather catchy, yes?