Thai leader proposes dissolving parliament
Source: Agencies |
March 30, 2010, Tuesday
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THAILAND'S prime minister offered yesterday to dissolve parliament by the end of the year, but protesters demanding he step down did not immediately accept the compromise, which could have helped resolve the country's political crisis.
The Red Shirt protesters - formally known as the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship - have been holding street demonstrations in Bangkok, the capital, for the past two weeks to demand that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva carry out a parliament dissolution so new polls can be held.
"For the sake of the people, you should make way," said Jatuporn Prompan, one of the three protest leaders at the second day of nationally televised talks between the two sides. "People would honor you and remember you for your sacrifice."
The Red Shirts are calling on Abhisit to take action within 15 days, but seemed to express some willingness to extend their deadline.
There were no agreements reached yesterday, and even the question of further meetings was left in limbo.
"The negotiations with the government have come to an end. But just how we'd move on from here, I would have to discuss this with my people," Jatuporn said.
The different Red Shirt leaders often express different positions, and sometimes have proven more willing to compromise than their rhetoric suggests.
Yesterday's two-hour meeting began on a more combative note than Sunday's initial talks, with representatives of the two sides pointing fingers and interrupting each other.
"The current climate is marred with tension and violent tendencies," said Abhisit, in what appeared to be a reference to several unexplained nonfatal grenade attacks around Bangkok in recent days. "One of my concerns is that, as prime minister, I need to create a favorable climate for elections. I have to also consider the opinions of the greater public - who do not necessarily align with particular colors."
The Red Shirts' rivals, the People's Alliance for Democracy, are known as the Yellow Shirts. Founded in 2006 to oppose the government of then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the Yellow Shirts announced yesterday that they opposed Abhisit's talks - adding another layer of complication to the standoff.
Thaksin, who was been convicted in absentia on corruption charges, was ousted in a 2006 military coup.
The Red Shirt protesters - formally known as the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship - have been holding street demonstrations in Bangkok, the capital, for the past two weeks to demand that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva carry out a parliament dissolution so new polls can be held.
"For the sake of the people, you should make way," said Jatuporn Prompan, one of the three protest leaders at the second day of nationally televised talks between the two sides. "People would honor you and remember you for your sacrifice."
The Red Shirts are calling on Abhisit to take action within 15 days, but seemed to express some willingness to extend their deadline.
There were no agreements reached yesterday, and even the question of further meetings was left in limbo.
"The negotiations with the government have come to an end. But just how we'd move on from here, I would have to discuss this with my people," Jatuporn said.
The different Red Shirt leaders often express different positions, and sometimes have proven more willing to compromise than their rhetoric suggests.
Yesterday's two-hour meeting began on a more combative note than Sunday's initial talks, with representatives of the two sides pointing fingers and interrupting each other.
"The current climate is marred with tension and violent tendencies," said Abhisit, in what appeared to be a reference to several unexplained nonfatal grenade attacks around Bangkok in recent days. "One of my concerns is that, as prime minister, I need to create a favorable climate for elections. I have to also consider the opinions of the greater public - who do not necessarily align with particular colors."
The Red Shirts' rivals, the People's Alliance for Democracy, are known as the Yellow Shirts. Founded in 2006 to oppose the government of then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the Yellow Shirts announced yesterday that they opposed Abhisit's talks - adding another layer of complication to the standoff.
Thaksin, who was been convicted in absentia on corruption charges, was ousted in a 2006 military coup.
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