Red shirts threaten to initiate impeachment move against PM

The red-shirt movement has threatened to launch a signature campaign to seek the impeachment of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who it says has allowed rampant government corruption.

The group held a mock censure debate yesterday at Big C's Lat Phrao branch during which key speakers, many of them former pro-red MPs, attacked the government on a range of issues, particularly the Bt800-billion economic stimulus package.

The speakers claimed corruption had infested the stimulus programme, but the government was getting a constitutional reprieve because the opposition would not be able to initiate a censure motion until early next year.

"By that time it will be too late, not least because this government won't last that long anyway," said Nattawut Saikua, a leader of the red shirts.

Apart from attacking the government for alleged corruption, the red shirts yesterday said Abhisit had violated key rules when he became a Democrat MP for the first time in the 1990s.

The group claimed it could prove that Abhisit was not even a Democrat member when he was elected an MP at that time.

"We have strong grounds to initiate an impeachment move against the prime minister," said Nattawut.

"We are in the process of considering which constitutional articles we can base our move on. After that, we will start gathering signatures."

Another press conference will be held next week to inform the public of the movement's impeachment decision, he added.

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Times are changing in Japan : First Lady

Appearing in a chic white suit on a black knee-length skirt, the 66-year-old first lady insisted that the victory of the Democratic Party of Japan is a golden opportunity for PM Yukio Hatoyama to create a society the way he has always wanted it to be - based on fraternity and neutrality.

In an exclusive interview with the Nation Channel's Veenarat Laohapakakul, Japanese First Lady Miyuki Hatoyama says times are changing in Japan, both in terms of government leadership and the role of women in society.

With more women MPs making their way to parliament in the last election, Hatoyama believes it reflects a society-shift in Japan.

Women offer different perspectives and they, too, can help aid the progress of society be it in medicine, education or other areas, she says.

As caring for the elderly becomes more crucial for Japan, she thinks women will be in a position to help society go through this important transition of structural change.

When asked if Japanese men could cope with that change, the first lady gave out a hearty laugh before saying, "Times are changing."

The former dancer also revealed her secrets to living a healthy and happy life. She said she always maintains a positive outlook. Also, she and her husband always acknowledge the importance of each other. That's how they refuel their energy level and happiness.

The mother of one energetically discussed the raising of children. She emphasised the importance of paying attention to her child and believing in him. She also suggests that mothers should cook for their children as often as possible because it's good for them psychologically.

Hatoyama recently won an award for looking good in jeans from the Japan Jeans Association, an award which she said gave her pleasure. Asked if she would like to become a fashion icon like first ladies Michelle Obama or Carla Bruni, she said, "I'll do my best."

On a more serious note, she does want to work with the people of Japan and do something for them. She thinks women's rights, education, and arts and culture are among some of the important issues she would like to be engaged in.

Despite the fact that Hatoyama is often seen as being different from the other Japanese first ladies because of her cheerful, outgoing way, she does not want to be compared in that manner. She smiles, just as she always does whether she offers an answer or declines a question. "This is my character. I'm just being myself," she say

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PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE People's network threaten action against Cambodia

Cha-am - Thai protesters yesterday threatened to surround the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok next month unless Prime Minister Hun Sen withdrew troops and removed Cambodian community from the disฌputed area adjacent to Preah Vihear.

Some 30 people led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) made a brief protest at Puk Tien beach in ChaAm district, some 10km away from the Asean meeting venue in response to the harsh remarks by Hun Sen regarding fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thailand and Cambodia have been at loggerheads over the disputed area near the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear for a long time but the issue heated up a year ago when it was listed as a World Heritage Site.

The issue of Thaksin added fuel to the conflict when Hun Sen said he would make the fugitive expremier his economic adviser and would not extradite him to Thailand. Such remarks have heightened tensions with the Thai government which is seeking to apprehend Thaksin, who has been sentenced to two years' prison sentence in a corruption case.

The protesters handed over their letter of demands to the Foreign Ministry's DirectorGeneral of Asean Affairs Vitavas Srivihok demanding the troop withdrawal and removal of the Cambodian comฌmunity from the area within a week.

They condemned Hun Sen's recent remarks and wanted the Cambodian premier to leave Thailand immediately as he was not attending the Asean Summit in a spirit of goodwill.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said his government had allowed the protesters to exercise their freedom of expression in accordance with democratic principles. The government would take their demands into consideration and would convey them to the neighฌbouring country if necessary, he said.

The Thai government would not allow one incident to jeopฌardise relations between the two countries, which have a lot of areas of mutual interest, he said. Kasit said the government would deal with Hun Sen in a cool manฌner.

"We have been together with Samdech Hun Sen the whole day in the [Asean] meeting. I think he did participate in every sesฌsion [of the Asean meeting] in a very constructive manner," Kasit said.

Prime Minister Hun Sen even supported Thailand's intention to be a temporary unit of surฌveillance of the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM), Kasit said.

Regarding the Thaksin issue, Kasit maintained his hope that Hun Sen would be able to disฌtinguish personal affairs from the mutual interests of the two countries.

"I don't know whether Prime Minister Hun Sen has invited Thaksin to visit Cambodia after he has served his jail term in Thailand or not," he said.

If Thaksin were to be in Cambodia before serving his sentence, the government would seek his extradition in accorฌdance with the bilateral treaty, Kasit said.

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