New govt rift fears as jet plan revived
Prawit pushes Gripens, coalition tension likely
- Published: 30/05/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
An attempt by Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon to revive the air force's procurement of Swedish-made Gripen jet fighters despite military budget cuts is likely to raise tensions between the Democrat Party and its key coalition partner, Bhumjaithai.
The move opens the way for a fresh conflict between the Democrats and its influential coalition partner following differences over the 4,000-bus lease project, the auction of the government's mortgaged crops, and the public land rental scheme.
Gen Prawit, who has close affiliations with Bhumjaithai, said yesterday he would ask the cabinet next week to approve in principle the 5.4-billion-baht project to buy a second batch of Gripen fighters and 5 billion baht for search and rescue helicopters.
"I just want the cabinet to approve the procurement in principle. It is for the sake of reassurance.
"When the country has money to attend to security affairs, we will buy them. I do not think endorsing the project in principle will cause any damage," said Gen Prawit, who stressed the air force needed the Gripens to replace its F-5Es which will be decommissioned later this year. He said he would explain the need to the Budget Bureau and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
"There is no hidden agenda," said Gen Prawit, who is tipped to join the Bhumjaithai Party soon.
His push is seen as yet another move by Bhumjaithai to test the Democrats' sincerity in honouring the coalition partnership. The Democrats have put the brakes on the Commerce Ministry's planned sales of mortgaged crops and the Transport Ministry's 67.9-billion-baht bus lease plan. Both ministries are under Bhumjaithai's supervision.
Bhumjaithai heavyweights appear to be opposed to the Democrat Party's proposal to allow farmers to rent public land at 10 baht per rai for farming.
The scheme, the brainchild of Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Senneam who oversees the Land Department, apparently lacks support from Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul, the Bhumjaithai leader, and Saksayam Chidchob, his chief adviser and a core member of Bhumjaithai.
Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat, another Bhumjaithai key figure, denied Mr Chavarat was opposed to the scheme. The minister was merely concerned that it could be exploited by the rich.
"Mr Chavarat wants the scheme to be examined thoroughly. He fears state property will be abused," he said.
Mr Saksayam said the party was not using the land leasing plan to gain Democrat support for the mortgaged crop sale and bus rental projects.
"The land rental project has just been raised for discussion. An inspection is under way to separate state land from private property."
Mr Chavarat said the land leasing scheme was a sound project and Mr Thaworn could submit it to him for further submission to the cabinet.
Democrat spokesman Buranat Samutarak dismissed any rift over the land leasing scheme, saying the Bhumjaithai Party had raised concerns but did not oppose the project.
Meanwhile, the air force said it was uncomfortable with the defence minister's push to revive the Gripen purchase plan, as it feared the public might misunderstand. Air force spokesman Grp Capt Monthon Satchukorn said air force chief ACM Itthaporn Supawong would ask Gen Prawit to review the project and withdraw it from the cabinet meeting's agenda.
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- Writer: POST REPORTERS
