|
Politics
|
2006-11-13 21:54:15-05
|
No immediate plans for now to end martial law: PM
|
|
|
Bangkok, Nov 14: Thailand's military-installed government has revealed that it had no immediate intentions to lift martial law, the prime minister said Tuesday, casting doubt on an earlier comment that it might end before this weekend's Asia-Pacific leaders' meeting. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said the government feels martial law remains a national security matter following a Sept. 19 coup that ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra. "I don't have the answer at the moment." AP quoted Surayud as telling reporters. Last week, Defense Minister Boonrawd Somtat said the government would consider ending martial law before Surayud's trip to Vietnam for this weekend's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Hanoi is scheduled to be attended by President Bush and leaders of 20 other countries that have denounced Thailand's September 19 military coup. Surayud said martial law would be lifted on the recommendation of the Council of National Security, made up of the generals who led the coup. He said the subject was not broached at Tuesday's weekly Cabinet meeting, because the council had not yet issued its recommendation. "This is a matter of security and it has to be considered carefully," Surayud said.
|
