Government rejects talks with Red Shirts until protest ends

BANGKOK, May 17 (TNA) – Thailand’s Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) on Monday rejected the proposal of anti-government Red Shirt leaders calling for the resumption of talks to end ongoing conflict, saying the talks will resume only when the demonstration at Bangkok’s prime commercial area ends.

Prime Minister’s deputy secretary-general Panitan Wattanayagorn, also the acting government spokesman, announced the government’s stance during a nationally televised address after key leaders of the anti-government ‘Red Shirt’ United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) said they are willing to negotiate with the government, but the army must cease firing and troops must withdraw from the area surrounding the rally site.

Dr Panitan reiterated the government acknowledged the Red Shirt’s proposal but the negotiation will resume under three conditions: Red Shirts must stop attacking soldiers, police and cilivians on security missions to protect the public, they must end all use of force against the general public, and they must cease the unrest.

When the situation eases, the government is ready to proceed with the road plan for reconciliation earlier proposed by the prime minister, Dr Panitan said.

UDD leader Natthawut Saikua reportedly said the UDD can resume talks with the government and won’t seek UN mediation.

He said the Red Shirt leaders would ask their supporters who are facing troops around Ratchaprasong to return to the protest site if the government decided to withdraw troops and halt their shooting.

Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Satit Wonghnongtaey said during the live broadcast that a person who is now living abroad is behind the plot to ignite violence which will lead to a large number of deaths, by using military weapons to kill them.

The so-called  mastermind also hired foreign law experts visit the kingdom and raise issues regarding international legal procedures, an attempt which is also meant to tarnish the image of the Thai government and the army.

CRES has noticed three groups of persons become targeted in violent attacks during the confrontation between troops and Red Shirt protesters.

The targets include both local and foreign media workers, medical and rescue workers, as well as innocent local residents, said Mr Satit.

Mr Satit emphasised that the security operation to reduce the area of the Red Shirt protest site will continue, saying the government may legitimately carry out such an operation.

The minister said the media and medical teams can still carry out their missions in the risk areas, but should inform the army personnel in order to avoid any possible violence.

The CRES on Sunday announced urged the Red Shirt protesters, particularly, children, women and the elderly, to leave the Ratchaprasong intersection by Monday at 3pm. The centre repeated the warning on Monday however it did not say what will happen if the deadline is not met.

Some children, elderly persons and women were evacuated from the Red Shirt areas to nearby Pathumwanaram Temple which has been named a safe zone.

Erawan Emergency Centre reported so far 35 were killed and at least 249 persons were wounded following five days of confrontation between troops and anti-government protesters in the areas surrounding the main protest site. (TNA)