POLITICS / INTERNET ATTACK ON PREM, POLITICAL ACTIVITIES, SHAPING THE CONSTITUTION

EC urges dialogue on lifting ban

WASSANA NANUAM

The Election Commission (EC) has offered to organise a meeting for politicians and the coup makers to discuss lifting the ban on political parties' activities, to allow parties more time to prepare for the elections to take place in December.

The proposed meeting would be attended by political parties, political groups and the Council for National Security (CNS).

EC member Sodsri Sattayathum said the commission agreed that the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR)'s 15th and 27th orders banning political parties' activities should be lifted very soon.

The Council for Democratic Reform has now become the CNS.

"The EC, as a neutral party, believes in a reconciliatory approach. The two parties [politicians and coup makers] should engage in a dialogue," Mrs Sodsri said.

She said if participants at the meeting agreed to end the ban, the orders should be lifted before the referendum on the new draft constitution is held.

Mrs Sodsri added that the referendum requires cooperation from all parties, including politicians, who should be allowed to go to the provinces to persuade people to vote in it.

CNS secretary-general Winai Phattiyakul said CNS chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin will meet political parties over the next two days to discuss the lifting of the orders.

Gen Winai, also defence permanent secretary, said it was understandable that political parties wanted the ban to be lifted quickly.

The CNS agreed it would probably end the ban late this month when the first draft of the new constitution is expected to be completed, Gen Winai said.

He said it is difficult to stop the flow of financial support to the organisers of the PTV demonstrations.

However, intelligence staff are working hard to trace the money trail and find out where the funding came from.

The money did not necessarily come from overseas, because there are still a lot of supporters who are ready to sponsor the gatherings, Gen Winai said.

He said authorities are trying to be lenient with protesters and allow them to carry out their activities to some degree.

Gen Winai said the protesters should now give up their planned demonstrations and disperse for the sake of the country.

Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007