Gaybutton Posted May 3, 2010 Posted May 3, 2010 Cabinet Acknowledges Need for Army Move Against Red-Shirt Demonstrators By PIYANART SRIVALO THE NATION Published on May 3, 2010 The Cabinet yesterday acknowledged the need for the use of Army force against red-shirt pro-testers occupying the Rajprasong intersection, as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva grimly warned the public in his weekly address to expect undesired results from future government action. A closed-door Cabinet meeting accepted a bigger role for armed troops who, since the "Black Saturday" drama on April 10, have still played mostly a secondary role to police commandos. "The government's action from now on will carry the risk of clashes or losses which could affect the feeling of the general public," Abhisit said. "But the government has its duty and will have to do what needs to be done." It was Abhisit's first such public statement. He and other top officials yesterday reiterated the government's determination to reclaim the Rajprasong intersection from the protesters. An SMS campaign will be launched to persuade as many demonstrators as possible to leave the area. Abhisit said the government had made significant progress in inquiries into a series of incidents, which he said confirmed suspicion that some were acts of terrorism. Yesterday's emergency Cabinet meeting followed an invasion of Chulalongkorn Hospital by some protesters that increased pressure on the government to deal with the pro-longed rally. "We want the operation to take place as soon as possible so we will do everything we can to ensure the least losses and maxi-mum safety for people involved," said acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn. Panitan denied that the Cabinet discussed the possibility of imposing martial law in the area. Cabinet acknowledges need for Army move against red-shirt demonstrators Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted May 3, 2010 Posted May 3, 2010 Regrettably, it has come down to this. It is not going to be pretty, but it is necessary to end this madness. Quote
Gaybutton Posted May 3, 2010 Author Posted May 3, 2010 I wonder if it really will end it. I can also see how the whole thing could backfire and provoke even further hostilities. ____________________ Armoured cars, plus a roadmap Published: 3/05/2010 Armoured vehicles are being readied for use in the dispersal of the prolonged anti-government rally at Bangkok's Ratchaprasong commercial district, spokesman for the government's Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Monday. The armoured vehicles would protect soldiers from attack by the protesters, who could be armed, and would help avoid violence, Col Sansern said. The vehicles had not reached Bangkok yet. Armoured cars, plus a roadmap Quote
