Govt, reds edge towards talks
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his red-shirt opponents sat down for face-to-face talks broadcast on national TV on Sunday, but quickly showed the profound gap that will have to be bridged before the country can be brought back to normal.
The first round of talks between the prime minister and the red-shirt leaders has come to an end at around 7.20pm on Sunday, about 15 minutes after the talks were resumed after a short break.
Red-shirt leader Veera Musikhapong suggested that both sides go back and discuss things among themselves before they meet again on Monday evening.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said earlier that today's talks were a good start, although both sides may take more time to find solutions to their political problems.
Jatuporn Prompan of the red camp gave the prime minister two weeks to come to a decision regarding House dissolution. He did not say what would happen if Mr Abhisit decides not to dissolve the House.
The first round of talks between the prime minister and the red-shirt leaders has come to an end at around 7.20pm on Sunday, about 15 minutes after the talks were resumed after a short break.
Red-shirt leader Veera Musikhapong suggested that both sides go back and discuss things among themselves before they meet again on Monday evening.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said earlier that today's talks were a good start, although both sides may take more time to find solutions to their political problems.
Jatuporn Prompan of the red camp gave the prime minister two weeks to come to a decision regarding House dissolution. He did not say what would happen if Mr Abhisit decides not to dissolve the House.
EARLIER REPORT:
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is ready to hold negotiations with representatives of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, and his secretary-general Korbsak Sabhavasu is coordinating with the UDD to make the necessary arrangements, PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said in a televised statement on Sunday morning.
The decision came as a large number of red-shirt protesters were massing outside the 11th Infantry Regiment camp where Mr Abhisit has been staying for the past two weeks since the rally began.Mr Sathit said the government wants the situation in the country to return to normal as soon as possible.Therefore the prime minister is willing to talk with UDD representatives, particularly Jatuporn Prompan, Natthawut Saikua, Veera Musikhapong and Weng Tojirakarn, and Mr Korbsak, who is in his contact with the UDD, is trying to work out the time and place for the talks to be held.
Mr Sathit said Mr Abhisit wanted the talks to be held in a friendly climate without any threats being made.Meanwhile, Mr Korbsak said in a television interview that a possible venue for the talks might be the King Prajadhipok Institute in Nonthaburi, but this was not yet finalised.Mr Korbsak said the mass gathering of red shirts in front of the 11th Infantry Division camp was considered by the prime minister as a threat and intimidation. He said the withdrawal of the red shirts would improve the climate.On Sunday morning, the UDD gave the prime minister until 10.15am to arrange the talks. Soon after this, Mr Sathit appeared on television to tell the public of the latest developments.Mr Abhisit's message was welcomed by the red-shirt leaders, who announced on the stage at Phan Fa Bridge that they are ready to talk with the prime minister.
The announcement was made by Mr Veera, Mr Jatuporn, Mr Natthawut and Mr Weng, who would possibly represent the UDD in the talks.Mr Jatuporn said he would have no objection if the talks were held at the King Prajadhipok Institute.He told the red shirts, both at Phan Fa Bridge and in front of the 11th Infantry Regiment camp in Bang Khen, to remain peaceful pending the arrangements for the talks being finalised.The prime minister's agreement to hold talks with the protesters was an abrupt about-face from his position two hours earlier, when he went on television to say he would not bow to ultimatums from the red-shirts.
At 8am, he said he would not engage in talks under an intimidating climate."If the protesters come to the 11th Infantry Regiment camp, I will not be there to talk," he said earlier in the day. "This is not to deny efforts to find a solution, but the talks should be held in a good climate."
The photo gallery below shows the red-shirts in front of the 11th Infantry Regiment and their leaders at the rally site near Phan Fa bridge. (Photos by Apichart Jinakul, Apichit Jinakul and Pattanapong Hirunard)
Thank to Bangkok Post.
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