Thai editorial: Reconciliation requires cooperation from all sides

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Reconciliation requires cooperation from all sides
The Nation

Political peace and reform can only be achieved when politicians and their supporters put the country's interests first

BANGKOK: -- Almost two weeks after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra proposed an open forum aimed at resolving the country’s ongoing political conflict, the government and opposition have yet to agree about working together on the matter.

Politicians from both sides of the divide have traded accusations and the atmosphere is still not right for political reform. The opposition Democrat Party has questioned the prime minister's sincerity over the matter, while the ruling Pheu Thai Party has accused the Democrats of being narrow-minded in their perceived attempt to block the latest reform effort and their refusal to take part.

Under a proposal announced by the prime minister on August 2, the government will invite members of diverse groups to discuss ideas and exchange viewpoints on how to undertake political reform. It was disclosed later that foreign dignitaries and former heads of state would also be invited to contribute, including British ex-prime minister Tony Blair, former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan and former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari.

Several senior local figures have been invited to join the forum, but critics believe many of them are too close to the politicians in power, or have previously worked with the Pheu Thai Party or the Thai Rak Thai and People Power parties from which it was born. This has led to suspicion. In order to give more credibility to the forum, the government should bring in more representatives from civic organisations and individuals who have clearly demonstrated political neutrality.

There are charges that this latest reform move is designed to lead to changes in the Constitution and other

laws. The government will have to clear such suspicions that politicians with vested interests are behind the concept.

For many critics, the ongoing political conflict should be blamed squarely on politicians. Ex-UN chief Annan, in an interview with the Thai media last year, was asked to comment on the role of ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in any efforts at reconciliation. He said it was up to the country's political leaders to find a way to bridge gaps. "They have to put the country first. The country is bigger than they are," he said.

A recent Dusit Poll survey found that most young people regard politicians and corruption as the major causes of our national divide. Most believe the government and opposition must get together to find a peaceful resolution. Of 3,610 respondents aged 18 to 20, 82 per cent believed politicians had brought about the national rift, with 81 per cent saying corruption was the main motivating factor.

Citizens should not let themselves be used as pawns in the politicians' power plays. Real reform should involve ordinary people - and their input must be sought - to bring better solutions that can be accepted by society as whole.

Elected politicians are the people's representatives. They need to be reminded of this continuously. Many of them still have to learn that they work for the public, not their own benefit.

As long as politicians put the country's interests second, we cannot expect genuine reform. Any change without the public's and national interests in mind is unlikely to bring about the reconciliation and peace we need.


-- The Nation 2013-08-15

[NongKhaiKid]

Those taking part will no doubt receive generous expenses, a nice folder to carry the script in and a Large Rubber Stamp

[MaxLee]

Almost two weeks after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra proposed an open forum aimed at resolving the countrys ongoing political conflict, the government and opposition have yet to agree about working together on the matter she was planning her next trip to Hawaii

[Robby nz]

I read that in the budget debate they say there is 20million earmarked for 'expenses' for Blair.

I believe from a previous report that she has already briefed the cabinet on her plans for a trip to Pakistan and Tajikstan.