Organization: Central Michigan University
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seasia-l
Date:         Mon, 28 Sep 1992 10:11:50 EDT
From:         Elliott Parker <3ZLUFUR@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Subject:      TH: Students urge MPs to honor promises

                    [Original was corrupted]
=======================  Forwarded  Message  ===========================
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 92 02:02:25+0700
From: kamol@munnari.oz.au (Kamol Hengkietisak)
Subject: Sept 28: Students urge govt to rejectmnesty bill


THE Students' Federation of Thailand yesterday urged MPs of the five-party
coalition government to reject the executive decree pardoning all those
involved in the May crackdown, restructure the Armed Forces and to have
senators elected by the public.

During a press conference held at Thammasat University yesterday, SFT
secretary-general Supatr Hasuwannakij urged members of the five coalition
parties comprising the Democrat, New Aspiration, Palang Dharma, Solidarity,
and Social Action parties to honour the promises they made to the public
prior to the general election.

They promised that if elected they would reject the Amnesty Decree in
Parliament so that those responsible could be prosecuted and a true account
of the May tragedy publicised through the courts, Mr Supatr said.

The recent military reshuffle had not yet proved to be sufficient
punishment, he said.

The Anand II administration through the team investigating the May events
had clearly described the suppression of the demonstrators as an
"overreaction" supervised by Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon, Gen Issarapong
Noonpakdee, and ACM Kaset Rojananil, Mr Supatr said.

If the executive decree is passed X.$,)j1%Q]%11    %9QIAIQQ!Q)the
 five-party coalition had betrayed the public, he said. Government
stability will then be at risk, he said.

The SFT also called on the Chuan Government to amend the Constitution to
eliminate political interference of the military through the appointed
Senate by having Senators elected directly by the people.

Capable persons could be elected as senators if proper qualifications are
required for the Senate candidacy registration, he said.

As the Senate should play a role only in scrutinising bills and overseeing
the performance of MPs, it was not necessary for Parliament to have as many
as 270 senators with the military holding a majority, Mr Supatr said.

The SFT also called on the next defence minister to restructure the armed
forces to see the real value of military professionalism engraved not only
in individuals but also in the whole armed forces, he said.

The SFT would like to see a minimum military secret budget, the Supreme
Command entitled only to coordinate work between the three armed forces,
the end of the Internal Security Operations Command and the Communism Act.

The Government's failure to meet the requests would make the sacrifice
endured by the people during the May massacre meaningless, Mr Supatr said.

The students and the public are ready to support any Government move to
eradicate the roots of dictatorship from Thai democracy, he said.

The Chuan Government should also pay attention to the issue of the judicial
commission because the Anand Government had made a big mistake by defeating
one side and leaving victory for the other, said Mr Supatr.
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