POLITICS
Abhisit backs call for independent probe
POST REPORTERS
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) will not accept the government's fact-finding committee into last Tuesday's violence, but is not opposed to the man who will lead it.
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said on Sunday that former Supreme Court deputy president Preecha Panitchwong would chair the panel to investigate the police use of Chinese tear gas containing an explosive to disperse PAD supporters, resulting in two deaths and hundreds of injuries.
"The PAD trusts Mr Preecha to a certain extent, thanks to his profile as the former deputy president of the highest court," key PAD leader Piphob Thongchai said. But it would be better if the inquiry into the bloodletting was made by a committee not set up by the government, he said.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was worried the two government-appointed committees will not be independent.
A second committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul, will work out a compensation package for the victims.
In the past, panels set up by the government often faced difficulties, including revealing the facts to the public, Mr Abhisit said. "I don't have problems with any individuals," he said. However, an inquiry appointed by the government would hesitate to implicate any powerful people, including the person who gave the order that force be used if needed.
The investigation should be handled by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) or the National Counter Corruption Commission - both independent organisations.
An NHRC panel on human rights protection has already begun an inquiry and plans to present its findings to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The group, chaired by commissioner Surasi Kosolnawin, will ask Prime Minister Somchai, the national police chief and other senior police officers to justify the use of force against protesters.
A source said the Surasi committee suspected some police officers might not have been aware of the warning on the teargas labels that it could cause severe injuries and even death. But the group did not doubt the officers were not well-trained in using the weapons.
A group of 40 senators led by Rosana Tositrakul has also set up its own panel to look into the violence.
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