Gaybutton Posted October 12, 2008 Posted October 12, 2008 The following appears in THE NATION: _____ PM Somchai to Talk about Violent Crackdown Tonight Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat will address in a special television programme on Sunday night to talk about police's violent dispesal of protesters. Somchai who took office about three weeks ago will also outline how his government will handle the situation. Government spokesman Nattawut Saikoe said the special programme will be held on state-run NBT station at 8.30pm. The spokesman reiterated that PM will not definitely announce his resignation. PM Somchai on Saturday had said that he'll consider pros and cons of all available alternatives which included resignation and dissolution of the House of Representatives, in the wake of last week's violent crackdown on protesters. "I'm not attached to the idea of being prime minister," he told reporters during an interview at his residence. When asked if he would resign or dissolve the House, the premier said: "It's an issue that I must consider, what's best in both the short and long term. "I have to study the pros and cons of each scenario, such as dissolving the House or resignation," he said. His statements sparked speculations that he may resign or dissolve the House. Quote
Gaybutton Posted October 12, 2008 Author Posted October 12, 2008 The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Resignation, House Dissolution Not Solution: Somchai Published on October 12, 2008 His government has several tasks, including royal cremation, Asean summit, to complete first Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat announced on TV Sunday night that he is willing to resign or dissolve the House if it could bring the country out of the political crisis. But he said he was not sure that House dissolution or his resignation would really solve the problem. He urged all sides in the conflicts to help find a clear solution, which is acceptable to all. "I am willing to say goodbye but we need to find a solution first. We have to turn to one another and cooperate to solve the problems for the sake of unity and peace so that we can stay together under the grace of His Majesty the King," the prime minister said. Somchai was speaking live on NBT at 8:30 pm and his public address was also relayed to other channels. The prime minister urged the public to exercise judgment so that they would not fall to rumours spread by certain persons. Somchai said the country was now under severe conflicts and sometimes protesters violated the laws. "So, I would like to ask protesters or demonstrators to stay within the limit of the laws," Somchai said. He said his government came from an election and had to be responsible to the Parliament and the people. He said he was sorry for the clashes on October 7 and he set up two panels to investigate what happened and to provide remedy to the affected people. The prime minister said political crisis was not the only crisis troubling the country but the country was also facing an economic crisis similar to the 1997 crisis. Somchai said the financial crisis would hit the world and even Europe. He said Asian countries could not avoid the crisis because the countries depended on exports to the United States and Europe. The prime minister also urged the public members to cooperate with the government to get the royal cremation of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana done. After the royal cremation, the government will also have to hold the birthday celebration for His Majesty the King, he said. He said his government also had a task to hold the Asean summit later this year. Quote
