CNS reiterates goal to restore democracy
The Council for National Security (CNS) yesterday reviewed four key issues, including the negative publicity generated by ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and its determination to stay the course in restoring democracy and uprooting the Thaksin legacy.
"Judging from his interviews abroad, Thaksin has no good intentions for the country," CNS spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnoed said. The CNS was disappointed that Thaksin appeared to put his interests above that of the nation's, Sansern said. In the past two weeks, Thaksin has gained media exposure through CNN, the Asian Wall Street Journal, The Economist and Newsweek. He tried to discredit the theory of sufficiency economy while trumpeting his populist policies, known as Thaksinomics. Sansern said the CNS resolved to promote sustainable development as a way to debunk Thaksin's lopsided policies designed to serve vested interests. The CNS acknowledged the cancellation of martial law in 42 provinces, including Bangkok, which came into effect on Friday, he said. In light of the volatile situation, national police chief General Kowit Watana had requested the armed forces to dispatch soldiers to assist in keeping peace as police deemed necessary, he said. The CNS also confirmed that graft investigations on ousted government leaders were on track and close to bringing culprits to justice, he said. After Monday's meeting with the Assets Examination Committee, the CNS agreed the Cabinet would issue a resolution ordering every government agency to fully cooperate in the graft proceedings, he said. The CNS also resolved to move forward with its plans to ensure the speedy drafting of a new constitution and the timely restoration of an elected government, he said. "Everything is on track to improve the political system and a repeat - or a return - of the capitalist dictatorship will never happen again," he said, referring to the Thaksin regime. The meeting took three hours and all CNS members were present under the chairmanship of General Sonthi Boonyaratglin. The CNS reminded senior government officials that they may be transferred to a lesser position if they are found to lapse in their performance. It also instructed police to speed up investigations into the bomb blasts in Bangkok and the arson attacks in schools upcountry.
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