Nalinee to address US blacklist issue
Newly appointed PM's Office Minister Nalinee Thavisin will today hold a press conference to clarify her position regarding her inclusion on a United States blacklist.
Nalinee’s appointment to the second Yingluck Cabinet has been severely criticised because she is on the US Treasury’s blacklist due to her business dealings with associates of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
The press conference is due to take place at the headquarters of the Pheu Thai Party at 2pm.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who reshuffled her Cabinet with a total of 16 portfolio changes, yesterday refused to comment when asked if Nalinee would be removed from her post before the new Cabinet is sworn in.
The opposition Democrat Party has repeatedly asked Yingluck to find someone else for the PM’s Office post, saying Nalinee’s appointment would hurt the country’s image and discourage US companies from doing business with Thailand.
Supporters of Nalinee say her appointment is completely legitimate under Thai law. Meechai Ruchupan, a former president of the Senate, said that so long as Nalinee’s appointment squares with Thai law, her inclusion on the US Treasury blacklist is not a major concern.
He said Thailand should not follow the US, because its policies serve the US’ own interests.
Earlier, some Pheu Thai MPs voiced concern over the issue and suggested that Nalinee relinquish her new Cabinet post.
