Red Shirts Advocate Peace Following Panel Appointment

Published : June 15, 2010 :: 10:06:38 [ 1,578 views ]

Red Shirts Advocate Peace Following Panel Appointment

A key leader for the anti-government Red Shirt movement has voiced the groups concerns over the impending appointment of a panel of investigators detailed with examining the 2-month long protests in the heart of Bangkok’s central business district.

Bangkok, the 14^th of June 2010 [PDN]: In a meeting with the head of the newly formed independent probe panel Kanit Na-Nakorn (former attorney general), key Red Shirt leader Veera Musikapong and 7 other leaders discussed Mr. Kanit’s plans to appoint further investigators to the panel. The Red Shirts concerns were that an appointment from either side of the current divide, Red Shirts or the government, would jeopardise the process and be a “waste of time.”

The Red Shirts publicly voiced their support for the appointment of Mr. Kanit as the panel head, “All Red Shirt leaders have no doubt regarding Mr Kanit’s qualifications, but instead feel sympathy for him that he has to work hard,” Mr Veera said. “We would like to give him a moral support as he is a very good person.” Mr. Veera stated that he was disappointed with current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva who decided not to appoint any Red Shirt representatives to the panel.

Red Shirt leaders also spoke of their vehement support of an attempt to achieve national reconciliation and to find out the truth regarding the violent and destructive end to the protests in Bangkok. The military forced conclusion of the Red Shirts protest saw 89 people lose their lives whilst over 1,900 people were injured and over 30 buildings destroyed or hit by arsonists.

The main focus of the meeting was to stress the need to have an impartial panel of investigators to deal with the situation, no government or Red Shirt insiders should be involved. “To bring the two conflicting parties on the panel will only waste time as they will be too occupied with arguments. Therefore outsiders or impartial persons should be brought in,” stated Mr. Veera.

Mr. Kanit has been given 15-days to select a fit and proper panel of investigators whilst Prime Minister Abhisit has pledged not to interfere with the panel’s work. Mr. Kanit has voiced his willing to take into account Mr. Veera and the Red Shirts suggestions whilst stating that further discussions with the Red Shirt leaders may be needed at a later date.