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Red Shirts accept roadmap
[Straits Times] THAILAND'S anti-government protesters agreed on Tuesday to enter the prime minister's proposed reconciliation process, raising hopes of an end to a tense political crisis that has claimed 27 lives.But the 'Red Shirts' said they would not end their mass rally in the heart of the capital yet, calling on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to make clear when he will dissolve parliament for elections and to withdraw troops. 'Red Shirt leaders unanimously agree to join, and welcome, the reconciliation roadmap proposed by the prime minister to prevent further loss of life,' protest leader Veera Musikapong announced from the rally stage. Mr Abhisit said in a nationally televised address late Monday that he was ready to hold elections in mid-November if all parties accepted his reconciliation plan, but the protesters said the Election Commission should set the poll date. 'We will continue the rally until Abhisit says clearly when he will dissolve the House. Then we will discuss our next move,' one of the protest leaders, Jatuporn Prompan, told reporters. Arrest warrants have been issued for many leading Red Shirts, who have been defying a ban on rallies under a state of emergency in the city. The authorities are ready to discuss an amnesty for protest leaders, according to a government source. 'The government wants to create a good climate and end the protests. Details will be discussed later. However, one of the topics that will discussed is related to an amnesty,' the source told AFP, asking not to be named. Posted by: Fred 2010-05-05 |
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