BP editorial: Searching for a way out

[WorldFun]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/36025/searching-for-a-way-out

"Black Saturday could go down in Thai history as the worst day since Oct 6, 1976. The abortive and ultimately bloody attempt to clear Bangkok's streets of political protesters caused heavy casualties. It is clear that security and political authorities all the way up to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made glaring errors, resulting in casualties on a scale unseen in a generation, if not two.

It is predictable that the tragic event will be used by all warring sides to further their agenda. For the moment, however, it is important to avoid direct confrontation. There must be a period of mourning, which requires the government, security officers and the red-clad opposition to remain dignified for once.

 

This does not mean the events of April 10, and what led to them, should be ignored. A full, public inquiry must determine what happened. Already, senior military, police and political figures have begun equivocating, with self-serving statements. These often are contradictory and beguiling, such as: exactly who were the people who appeared fully armed? This emphasises why a proper investigation is necessary.

 

One way to proceed is through a bi-partisan committee including the viewpoints of all major parties including government, security forces and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). It may be more informative and direct to put the probe in the hands of a mutually trusted third party. It will be difficult to find a person who is widely respected, blunt in questioning and in releasing information, and willing to take the job. Either way, the investigation must start forthwith, and be prepared to name names, expose prevarication and let the chips fall where they may.

 

The death by gunfire of the Japanese TV cameraman Hiro Muramoto would be a good place to start. His government has demanded a full report on the horrific death, with autopsy. The government cannot, and should not, try to duck comments from interested foreign countries. Ministers certainly cannot claim that tired old excuse that it is an internal matter. Thousands of tourists were exposed to the deadly bomb, grenades and gunfire last Saturday.

 

It is clear that political talks must take place. This time, the government and red shirts must get down to proper business, instead of posturing. Surely, the agenda is now clear. The government must set out a realistic timetable to finish up urgent work, resign and hold elections. But before that, the UDD, Democrats and all coalition parties must agree on additional basics. The first is that they will accept the results of the election. Street theatre makes a mockery of free and democratic polls. Yellow shirts, red shirts and the military have treated democracy with contempt for the past five years.

 

There are those who despair that the great divide in Thai society cannot be bridged. They are wrong. Indeed, Thais of all "colours" still share mutual goals: a free country under a democratic system that encourages national prosperity and world friendship. It is occasionally difficult to settle differences peacefully.

 

The many deaths and serious injuries of last Saturday show the huge dangers of failure to achieve goals through negotiations."

[WorldFun]

Note this comment from a BP reader:

"

 

Discussion 2 : 13/04/2010 at 09:28 AM2

 

It should be painfully obvious to everyone now: there is no person or institution inside of Thailand who:

1. Can conduct an independent, impartial investigation, and;

2. Make the unvarnished result of such an investigation public, in a completely transparent manner.

 

As the writer notes, this is no longer an internal matter, and assertions of sovereignty only fuel suspicions of manipulation and cover-up.

 

A credible body from outside the country must be brought in to conduct the investigation. The details and the results of the investigation, no matter how damning or damaging to the reputation of any Thai individual or institution, must be made public.

 

Without the truth, there will be no progress. With a Thai investigative body, there will be no truth."

[Freddy3]

Actually the comment by the BP reader is a good one. Why stop there perhaps they should delegate the entire Government of Thailand to an external entity? Singapore maybe.

[Flashermac]

Cool! Singapore fits perfectly with Thaksin's idea of "true democracy".