Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Suthep: No worries about assets ruling

13/01/2010
Bangkok Post

People should have faith in the justice system and not worry about violence on Feb 26, when the Supreme Court is due to give its verdict on the Thaksin Shinawatra's 76.6 billion baht assets seizure case, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversees security, said on Wednesday.

"I'm not worried about it," he said. "We should not think that the verdict for one person would be more important than any other. We must have faith in the judicial process."

The court examined two additional witnesses on Tuesday - former information and communication technology minister Sithichai Pookaiyaudom and Thailand Research Development Institute academic Somkiat Tangkitwanich. It later announced a verdict could be expected n Feb 26

When asked if the approaching verdict could lead to an increase in political activities by the pro-Thaksin group, Mr Suthep said the country belongs to the people, and no one could go against the majority.

"When everything goes according to the rule of law, which is accepted by Thais, then everyone will have to accept it," he said.

Army chief Anupong Paojinda said the army is ready to maintain order if the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) intensifies its anti-government activities.

Gen Anupong said the government will assess the situation and decide whether the army will oversee the red-shirt demonstrators.

First Army Region commander Kanit Sapitak said the army had never controlled or limited the rights of protesters as long as they abided by the law.

There should be no problems with the red-shirts as the group's previous rallies were orderly, Lt-Gen Kanit said.

Kaewsan Atibhodhi, former member of the Assets Scrutiny Committee, urged all parties to respect the Supreme Court when it hands down its verdict.

Mr Kaewsan refused to say whether the verdict will lead to a political breaking point. He said, however, that he would like to see the opposite.

"If the court gives a not guilty verdict, the yellow-shirts must stop. If it gives the guilty verdict, the red-shirts must stop," he said.

His Majesty the King had asked all parties to act responsibly, he said. The court would do its job, and everyone should respect it.

"Would it be better to give Khun Thaksin and Khun Sondhi (Limthongkul) a gun each to engage in a duel?" he said. "Why should we leave the country in their hands?"

Mr Sondhi is a core leader of the yellow-shirt group, which helped oust the Thaksin government.

Meanwhile, Panich Wikitseth, assistant to the foreign minister, said talks between Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over an extradition treaty may be concluded this year.

Mr Panich said the move to get an extradition treaty was not aimed particularly at Thaksin, who is known to spend a lot of time in Dubai.

Representatives from the Office of the Attorney-General, Foreign Ministry, Royal Thai Police Office, Office of the Judiciary and the Justice Ministry were in the UAE for talks with its government over this matter from Jan 10-13, he said.

Another two or three round of talks were expected. An agreement on an extradition treaty was expected this year, he said.

Asked what woud happen if, once the treaty is in effect, the UAE turned down Thailand's request to extradite Thaksin, as Cambodia did, Mr Panich said each country has its own judicial process for handling an extradition request.

Thaksin posted a message on his Twitter page on the Internet, saying he did not believe the UAE would attach importance to this matter.

"Every government comes to the UAE for talks on investment or oil. Those who come for talks over nonsensical or political matters do not get its attention," he said.

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