Samak's claim stirs confusion

EDITORIAL

Samak's claim stirs confusion

The People Power party's pledge to restore national reconciliation as one of its top priorities seems to be in jeopardy. For reasons yet to be spelled out, PPP leader Samak Sundaravej, at a press conference on New Year's Eve, accused a "dirty invisible hand" of attempting to block the party from forming a government with other smaller parties.

The outspoken PPP leader also snapped at a reporter for asking him what he regarded as "the most stupid question he has ever heard".

Although Mr Samak did not identify the "dirty invisible hand", it was interpreted by several media and members of the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy that the PPP leader meant Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda. This interpretation was also prompted by Mr Samak's mention, on the same occasion, of a book critical of Gen Prem titled Pebbles in Royal Shoes, which had been put on sale at anti-coup rallies. General Prem is not expected to respond to such unsubstantiated and inflammatory remarks by the PPP leader, as he is too decent a man to engage himself in a verbal exchange. But his supporters and other fair-minded people think otherwise. Suriyasai Katasila of the Campaign for Popular Democracy has challenged the PPP leader to produce evidence to back up his claim of a "dirty invisible hand". Meanwhile, the Election Commission has demanded that Mr Samak clarify his allegation.

The PPP might be desperate in its attempt to form a government ahead of the Democrat party. But this, by no means, gives its leader or any of its members any justification in pointing an accusing finger at any individual, particularly Gen Prem, without any evidence in support. Such a careless and irresponsible allegation will undermine Mr Samak's credibility and put in doubt the PPP's sincerity and intention to narrow the political divide and to bring about national reconciliation.

The PPP has, on various occasions, called upon all parties concerned, including the military, to accept the outcome of the Dec 23 election. Which is fair enough. But the party must also accept the fact that the final election outcome has yet to be announced by the Election Commission, together with a list of MPs-elect who may be issued red or yellow cards. Like it or not, the final result has to be accepted and respected by all. And those who are not happy and feel they are unfairly treated can take their case to the Administrative Court for consideration.

Just as the Election Commission is held in suspicion by the PPP because it was appointed by the coup-makers, the PPP's repeated pledge to try and restore national reconciliation is doubted by its rivals. Mr Samak's latest inflammatory remark does nothing to dispel these doubts. Instead, it helps strengthen the belief that national reconciliation will never be achieved under a PPP-led coalition government.

As the party which has won the largest number of seats in the lower House, the PPP has every right to form a government. Whether it succeeds or fails depends on its ability to convince the other parties to join the bandwagon and, above all, its sincerity in restoring national reconciliation.

The public in general desires a stable government so that it may tackle pressing problems, foremost among which are economic hardship, national reconciliation and the southern unrest.

His Majesty the King's repeated calls for national unity should serve as a warning to all parties concerned, of the country's dire need for reconciliation and unity.

The PPP, undoubtedly, will fit the public's wish for a politically stable government, provided that it succeeds in convincing the rest of the parties - except the Democrats - to join its coalition. The party's only drawback appears to be that of having a leader whose hostile attitude towards opponents, true or perceived, does not bode well for efforts at reconciliation.

Unless there is a genuine change of heart, reconciliation will never be achieved. Neither will political stability.