UDD pledges non-violent campaign
- Published: 9/02/2010 at 10:12 PM
- Online news: Breakingnews
Key leaders of the anti-government 'Red-Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Tuesday promised the group would adhere to peaceful means, dismissing reports of a planned armed group to fight for their political agenda.
Key UDD leader Veera Musikapong told a media briefing that the Red Shirts will carry on their political ideology--to fight against dictatorship and to support creative democracy through peaceful means and measures, he said.
Mr Veera said he wanted to clarify that the UDD had no plan to set up an armed group, but would instead fight what he dubbed "the war of ideology," to attain democracy and fight against "double-standards" in the political arena.
Another key UDD leader, Nattawut Saikua, charged the government of exploiting state-owned media outlets to cast a bad light on the Red Shirts by influencing the public to have the impression that the February 26 court ruling on fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Bt76.6 billion (US$2.3 billion) frozen assets would lead to violence by the pro-Thaksin Red Shirts.
Security-concerned agencies have deployed thousands of military and police across the capital and in 38 provinces to monitor the move of Mr Thaksin supporters, Mr Nattawut said, adding that 200 check-points were also set up to maintain security during February 8-15.
Mr Nattawut said he did not understand why the government rushed to implement such security measures with 250 UDD key supporters being kept under close tabs as the UDD has yet to announce its plan or set a date for its major rally.
He said, however, that the UDD will hold a mini rally at National Police Headquarters on Wednesday, at the Office of the National Counter-Corruption Commission on Friday and at the Election Commission office on Monday, aiming to pressure for progress on the investigation of key cases.
He declined to mention the conflict with Gen Panlop Pinmanee, retired deputy chief of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) and a member of the opposition Puea Thai Party, saying each should do their respective duties.
Gen Panlop announced on Friday that he would not join any move with Red Shirt activists after his idea about the people’s army was shunned by Mr Jatuporn who earlier said the planned establishment of the people’s army is not related to the Red Shirts.
Meanwhile, Mr Thaksin, who was ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, wrote in his ‘Twitter’ social networking website thanking his supporters who expressed concerns regarding the conflict among the key Red Shirt leaders.
He assured his supporters there was no cause for concern as both sides agreed to bury their hatchets awaiting the upcoming "big task".
Mr Thaksin declined to elaborate on the task, saying only that it would be good for the country and deliver a promising future for Thailand’s youth.
About the author
- Writer: TNA
