Parties call for democratic rule as part of reconciliation process

[webfact]

Parties call for democratic rule as part of reconciliation process
By KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN 
JITRAPORN SENAWONG 
THE NATION

 

BANGKOK: -- RECONCILIATION should begin with democratic rule, inclusive discussion, and the lifting of a ban on political gathering, said leaders of the political parties who joined the first reconciliation talks yesterday.

 

Their critical perspective on amnesty – a quick route to overturn past conflicts – aligned with junta leader Prawit Wongsuwan, who said amnesty or absolution must follow due process.

 

The first reconciliation talks hosted by the Defence Ministry and led by its permanent secretary, General Chaichan Changmongkol, took place behind closed doors for four hours yesterday. Defence Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanich said the press was excluded because authorities wanted the whole process more complete before releasing any news, and insisted that the meeting did not conceal anything. A press conference would be held on Wednesday and Friday after the talks, he said.

 

In order to gather various opinions, political parties and factions are being invited by an alphabetical order to share their views on 10 previously established reconciliation-related topics. The first parties to join the talks yesterday were New Aspiration Party, the Commoner Party, and the Farmers Network Parties.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30306380

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-02-15

[Srikcir]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

RECONCILIATION should begin with democratic rule

Part of the junta 20-year reform plan.

[greenchair]

When are they going to wake up. 

Democratic rule is not one of the topics permitted to be discussed in the reconciliation talks.