Mixed reactions to mediation bid

[Lite Beer]

Mixed reactions to mediation bid
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Caretaker government's coalition partners and other organisations and groups gave a mixed response to the attempt by seven independent agencies under the Constitution to present a road map and attempt to mediate between both sides of the political divide.

The agencies will outline their plans at a press conference on Monday.

Sansak Charoon-ngampichet, a key member of the Palang Chon Party, said while the initiative is better than doing nothing, he still thinks these organisations are not really impartial and lack the influence to compel both sides of the political conflict to truly listen.

The seven organisations include the Election Commission (EC), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

Sources in other coalition partners said the prevalent view is that the role proposed by these seven organisations is inappropriate, adding they would be doing something beyond what they are allowed by the Constitution. There are also concerns as to how playing such role would affect the work of these independent organisations in the future.

Wannarat Channukoon, leader of the Chart Pattana Party, as well as caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra refused to give any reaction to the move.

Pheu Thai deputy spokesperson Anusorn Iamsaard said he wants these organisations to clarify seven points first. These points include whether these organisations think they have performed their duty impartially and whether they are earnest in making the proposal.

Anusorn also said the seven organisations should ask themselves if the way they carry out their duties is partly to blame for creating the current crisis and fanning the conflict.

Green Politics Group leader and co-leader of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) Suriyasai Katasila, said he does not support the move and warned that pro-government red shirts may not accept the role of these organisations as they view them as biased. He said the organisations should simply announce tomorrow their intention to carry out their duties impartially.

Suriyasai also warned Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn to stop playing the role of mediator as he stands to fail and it would be a stain on his reputation. He said the PDRC is ready to negotiate but only with a live telecast.

Election Commissioner Somchai, meanwhile, defended his intention, saying Thailand cannot break the impasse without negotiations. Somchai urged all sides to first listen to what the organisations will have to say tomorrow [Monday].

"Thai society can't move forward without negotiation and it is hard to find a mediator acceptable to all sides to do the job. Thais want to see the country being able to move forward," he said, adding that while the Office of the Attorney-General is pulling out due to concerns over conflict of interest, other agencies want to join in.

Deputy Democrat Party leader Ongart Klampaiboon said he supports the initiative and the party is willing to listen to the proposals. He urged the Yingluck administration to fully support the work of these organisations in scrutinising and acting as a checks and balances mechanism of the executive branch.

Democrat Party spokesperson Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said the best way out is for all sides to respect the law and the checks and balances system. "As long as [these organisations] are being harassed, I don't think there will be any proposals that the Pheu Thai Party would accept," he said.

General Ekachai Srivilas, director of the Office of Peace and Governance at King Prajadhipok's Institute, said the best way out is for all proposed reforms to be combined and used as a road map for reform.

-- The Nation 2014-03-16

[PepperMe]

Pheu Thai deputy spokesperson Anusorn Iamsaard said he wants these organisations to clarify seven points first. These points include whether these organisations think they have performed their duty impartially and whether they are earnest in making the proposal.

Anusorn also said the seven organisations should ask themselves if the way they carry out their duties is partly to blame for creating the current crisis and fanning the conflict.

Of course they have performed impartially..... Everyone knows you and your party are guilty of massive corruption, incompetence and negligence. Not to mention everything unconstitutional about how this administration is 'and continues' to operate.

That is why you are all in the spotlight in the first place.

Technically, in almost any other country you would have already been removed and probably now in prison or worse... executed.

You are not even worthy of these people trying to help out in the situation, 3 of which are charged with bringing about your demise under the rule of law for all your party's crime and inefficiencies.

<deleted> to these stupid mediation..... Just do your jobs and get rid of this rabble.

You don't need to mediate, you just have to do your job and these idiots will be gone and the problem solved.

EC you need to concentrate on looking at your own election problems and close all the dark holes that make your election procedures 'undemocratic'. which is letting these idiots grab power through the ballot box... I have never seen such a shoddy election system in all my days.

Start suspending party candidates for any finance based populist policies, vote buying, intimidation and offering money to village leaders/funds to pressure voters.

THEN ENFORCE THEM WITH AN IRON ROD!!!

[Scamper]

" Anusorn also said the seven organisations should ask themselves if the way they carry out their duties is partly to blame for creating the current crisis and fanning the conflict. "

From this alone, it is clear that Pheu Thai has zero comprehension of what they they have brought upon themselves. When you have MPs of your party that vote multiple times in parliament, when you pass a massive amnesty bill that exonerates over 25,000 convicted of corruption, including Thaksin, when you administer a rice scheme containing massive corruption that destroys the rice industry, when you have two members of the cabinet endorsing a UDD platform that includes secession - when you have all that - how can you possibly have the gall to insinuate unfairness within the judicial system ?

[pkspeaker]

The PhuaThai would rather the UN's BanKiiMoon mediate the conflict, the Dems, PAD,PDRC reject that because they know that the UN will side with democratic principals-which they reject.

[rubl]

The PhuaThai would rather the UN's BanKiiMoon mediate the conflict, the Dems, PAD,PDRC reject that because they know that the UN will side with democratic principals-which they reject.

The Pheu Thai led "unknown status" government knowns that the UN will not mediate without clear rules on what issues and with what mandate. Even the UN knowns that respect my vote till it's counted doesn't fall under normal democratic principles. Trying to arrest anti-government protesters on trumped up charges is also frown upon. Pushing through elections while keeping part of the country under a Emergency Decree is als oon the list of no-no's.

So, maybe k. Surapong has some more work to do in explaining to the international community how things should be seen ?

[rickirs]

"Katasila....said the organisations should simply announce tomorrow their intention to carry out their duties impartially."

I'm sure that will settle PTP's perception of bias in these agencies (sarcasm). Katasilla is essentially saying BS to the PTP concerns but the PDRC will deride the PTP as being uncooperative. Somehow PDRC seems to believe mediation or cooperation is the other side being completely compliant to whatever the PDTRC wants. Either arrogant, naive, or stupid. I'll give PDRC credit for all three.