Reds pile pressure on Pheu Thai

[Coss]

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Call for justice for those slain in last year's rallies

The alliance between the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship and the Pheu Thai Party is being put to the test with core red shirt members pressing ahead with their demands.

 

[color:gray]Backing Jatuporn

Tida Tawornseth, the chairwoman of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, and her husband Weng Tojirakarn, a Pheu Thai list MP-elect, turn up at the Criminal Court to give support to list MP-elect Jatuporn Prompan who is being detained on terrorism charges. APICHIT JINAKUL[/color]

 

UDD chairwoman Tida Tawornseth warned yesterday that Pheu Thai, which claimed a landslide election victory, could see its support waning if the group's demands for justice over deadly protests last year are not met.

 

In an interview with Reuters, Ms Tida said the red shirts want a thorough investigation into the army's role in the deaths of red shirt protesters, not an amnesty.

 

''The future of the red shirts and the Pheu Thai government depends on whether Pheu Thai still governs by listening to the people or not,'' said Ms Tida.

 

''I hope no one is unwise and ignores the people's voice.''

 

There have been concerns that military leaders would be cleared of responsibility for last year's clashes with the protesters in exchange for an amnesty for former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

Ms Tida said the red shirts would not spark conflict but added some people were trying to create the impression of division within the movement over a possible amnesty.

 

''We have never talked about amnesty. This condition has never been spoken about by the red shirts,'' she said.

 

She said the red shirts see no need for an amnesty because they do not believe they committed any offences. Instead they were victims of the clashes during April and May last year.

 

''We believe that we are not guilty,'' Ms Tida said, adding that she also wanted the release of red shirt protesters who have been detained since last year's chaos.

 

While Ms Tida is pressuring Pheu Thai for justice, other core members are calling for the return of favours following the party's overwhelming victory.

 

Shinawat Haboonpad, also a Pheu Thai unsuccessful list candidate, insisted that red shirt leaders and list MPs-elect Jatuporn Prompan and Natthawut Saikua should be given cabinet seats.

 

He said Pheu Thai cannot refuse the red shirt leaders what they deserve and use criticism of them as an excuse.

 

Some Pheu Thai heavyweights have raised questions about the suitability of Mr Jatuporn and Mr Natthawut to be appointed as cabinet members.

 

Both of them face charges of terrorism in connection with last year's political violence.

 

Mr Shinawat said the criticism that they are not fit to hold office should not be used as an excuse and both should be treated as innocent until it is proven otherwise.

 

''The party can't ignore the fact that it won a landslide victory because of the red shirts. The party owes the red shirts.

 

''But some people seem to be too ashamed to accept this and are trying to block red shirts from joining the cabinet,'' he said.

 

Mr Shinawat said that denying the red shirts cabinet seats is tantamount to saying that the red shirts are ''unclean''.

 

He said some Pheu Thai members are simply blocking red shirts to protect their own interests.

 

Red shirt leader Payap Pankate echoed Mr Shinawat's comments, saying the charges against its leaders are irrelevant as long as verdicts have not been not handed down.

 

Would-be prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday did not rule out the possibility of red shirt leaders being appointed as ministers.

 

However, she was adamant that appointments would turn on someone's ability to deliver government policy, which is to be declared to parliament.

 

''We'll have to draft our policies first and then look for people [to implement them].

 

''No red shirt leaders are blocked from serving,'' she said.

 

Meanwhile, cracks have appeared among UDD ranks as Mr Shinawat yesterday called for the removal of Ms Tida as the UDD chairwoman.

 

He said her dictatorial style has upset several red shirt core members.

 

''She has unfavourable behaviour such as taking the microphone from others. She acts like she owns the UDD.

 

''She isn't happy when red shirt-affiliated groups hold a rally, and sees it as competition.

 

''Several UDD members have put up with this for months,'' he said.

 

He said that having Ms Tida as the UDD chairwoman and her husband Weng Tojirakarn serving as an MP would be awkward.

 

Mr Shinawat suggested that Khanin Boonsuwan be appointed to replace her.

 

Mr Natthawut yesterday played down the rift among red shirt leaders, saying it would not threaten the group's unity.

 

''The red shirts faced differences in opinions during the course of their campaign and it was the differences that helped them grow up,'' he said.

 

He expressed confidence that the red shirt leaders would eventually iron out their differences and bury the hatchet.

 

''We can do a tune-up. Red shirts are brothers and sisters. This wouldn't break us up,'' he said.

 

He said Ms Tida is the still chairwoman of the UDD.

 

As for the allocation of cabinet seats, Mr Natthawut said that he and the red shirts would respect the party's decision on the matter.

 

Mr Weng yesterday described the attempt to remove his wife as one of trying to take control of the group.

 

He added that he thought Pheu Thai would show its appreciation for Mr Jatuporn and Mr Natthawut.

 

''The election is part of the UDD efforts.

 

''I'm not asking for a return of a favour, but I think people see it. So I believe Pheu Thai executives will see it too,'' he said.

[khunsanuk]

Hi,

 

Will this include justice for those people who had their livelyhood burned down by the reds in the riots?

 

Sanuk!

 

[Flashermac]

Nope, nor those shot by the Black Shirts.

 

If Yingyang doesn't give them what they want, will the red shirts take to the streets against her?