Politikerna fruktar ett turbulent 2007

Det stora samtalsämnet just nu är om militärjuntan kommer att leverera på sina löften. Ett par tunga projekt ligger på deras bord: Thaksin, grundlagarna, massiva korruptionsanklagelser mot maktens män, och krisen i södra Thailand. Inte alltför förvånande är det att höra Chat Thai chief Banharn Silapa-archas åsikter, – Det kommer bli ett lugnt och skönt år, ingen anledning till oro.

The Nation: 1/1/2007

Politicians say unrest is their main worry this year

Top national politicians were split over the political outlook for 2007, with the main division being over whether the junta keeps its promises.

Democrat Party deputy leader Alongkorn Pollabutr cited several factors that will affect politics in 2007. He worried the drafting of a new constitution could lead to controversy. Political “undercurrents” stirring against the junta could lead to massive street protests.

Investigations into alleged corruption, conflicts of interest and abuse of power by the ousted Thaksin-Shinawatra regime will be a “highlight” of 2007, he said. But if overthrown prime minister Thaksin tried to return to Thailand to fight graft charges and secure his assets, it could lead to widespread and divisive political protests, Alongkorn added.

He saw the Surayud-Chulanont land-encroachment case as a potential banana skin for the military backed government.

“Some groups will try to discredit the prime minister with this and seek his resignation,” he said.

The election-fraud case involving several parties could be crucial. “If the Constitution Tribunal rules political parties must be dissolved, it will have a big impact on key figures and the status of politicians,” he said.

“All members of the parties’ executive committee must fight to defend themselves from a politics ban of five years.”

Resolution of the deep South crisis is key and the government will need to be alert to all events in the region.

Alongkorn called on the Council for National Security (CNS) to keep its four main policy pledges cited as reasons for the September coup.

“If the junta can prove it is making progress, then people will trust it. The CNS must make the people confident it will not cling to power,” he stressed.

Mahachon leader Sanan Kachornprasart believed the junta had failed to grasp the political situation and would fail to bring a successful prosecution against Thaksin within the year.

“The anti-coup momentum will return and the CNS will find it hard to stop,” Sanan said.

He encouraged the CNS to meet its four pledges – including proving Thaksin was corrupt – if it wanted to win public understanding for the coup.

“It should hurry the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) probe into alleged corruption by the deposed government.

“Drafting the constitution will have to be completed within six months if there is to be a referendum on it before new elections are held,” the veteran politician said.

He predicted public unrest in March, coinciding with the tribunal’s decision over political-party dissolution.

However, Chat Thai chief Banharn Silapa-archa disagreed. He saw smooth political sailing ahead.

He said the government and the CNS could solve the country’s problems as promised.

Nevertheless, there may be public unease over the AEC investigation process.

“Yet I don’t think there will be violence,” Banharn said.

National Legislative Assembly Speaker Meechai Ruchuphan concurred, adding the government intended to do as it had promised.

If everyone pitches in to help, then 2007 will be a good year, he said.

Län till artikeln: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/01/politics/politics_30023022.php