PM: Terrorists caused Saturday violence

[Mentors]

A group of armed "terrorists" were among the red-shirt protesters on Saturday night and instigated the bloodshed in the hope of forcing a change in the country's administration, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday.

 

The prime minister said this a statement on televison about 2.05pm.

 

His statement repeated Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban's earlier remarks about "armed men" mingling with the protesters on Saturday.

 

[color:red]Mr Abhisit said there was clear evidence which pointed to there being "terrorists" among the innocent people demanding democracy.[/color]

 

The Centre for Public Administration in Emergency Situations (CPAES) was now working toward differentiating these terrorists from the protesters.

 

"I would like to ask all the innocent people not to cooperate with these elements. Once we can differentiate the terrorists from the people, we can formulate proper measures to solve the problem," Mr Abhisit said.

 

The prime minister said the problems of injustice and democracy which had been raised by the protesters would be solved by the political sector. He had been in close consultations with the parties in the coalition government.

His proposal was still to dissolve the House in nine months, or by the end of the year.

 

That is to say, while trying to differentiate the terrorists from the innocent people, the government would also take steps to solve the political problem.

 

Mr Abhisit maintained that the government, armed forces, police and coalition parties were still in harmony with the aim to bring the situation back to normal.

The government would set up an independent committee to investigate Saturday's bloodshed. The government would give the committee full cooperation, he said.

 

The prime minister said there would be remedial action to assist those who were suffering as a result of the violence. This would include the injured, the relatives of the dead and the business sector, regardless of their political affiliations.

 

"The government will go ahead with trying to solve these problems along these lines and hopes the people will cooperate," Mr Abhisit said.

 

The prime minister did not mention the UDD's repeated call for an immediate House dissolution.

 

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/thaksin-judgement-update/174495/pm-terrorists-involved-in-sat-violence