Abhisit clings on to hope for political truce

Abhisit clings on to hope for political truce

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva claims he remains optimistic about finding a peaceful way to break the country's political deadlock.

Posting on his Facebook page, Mr Abhisit insisted the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) had both been giving "positive signals".

PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban has called for “legal” means from “senior figures” to resolve political problems, while the UDD is asking independent red shirt factions not to do anything without its approval, Mr Abhisit said.

“Any side that hopes for an absolute victory in this battle to see peace restored is daydreaming ... political reform under the power of the constitution and by common consent of all sides is still the best solution,” he said.

The Democrat Party yesterday called on the caretaker government to dissolve the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo). The party said Capo had been exploited as a political tool and overstepped its power by openly criticising the courts.

A party statement also raised questions over the legality of Capo, warning that it was set up after parliament was dissolved, and never approved by the Election Commission.

The Democrats meanwhile urged Pheu Thai to stop misleading the public by verbally attacking judicial rulings against the caretaker government, claiming the party only respects court decisions in its favour.

The statement also called on the caretaker government to provide fair security measures to protect both anti- and pro-government protesters and prevent confrontation between the sides, but expressed doubt over the authority of acting caretaker prime minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan.

Mr Niwatthamrong replaced Yingluck Shinawatra, who was ousted by a Constitutional Court ruling on Wednesday.

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