Independent, neutral witnesses needed

Reading Robin Grant’s letters often makes me wonder what planet he comes from with his “strange” views always contradicting my working-class backed views. But this time I wholeheartedly agree with him when he writes: “It is to be hoped that, eventually, once all the available evidence has been gathered and analysed, those responsible for these needless deaths will be identified and brought to justice.” 

My writings during 2010 and in the aftermath might not suit Grant. As a non-native English speaker, I do not have apparent automatic access to the papers as you Anglo-Americans have because of editing issues. Often, I end up in the garbage bin. I stressed that the authorities and the media should secure evidence because all discussions in the aftermath would be distorted without evidence that could set the record straight. I suggested that the authorities/military and the media should let cameras run 24/7 (on low speed) since the Thaksin camp with the red shirts in the front had done everything they could to avoid documentation of what occurred by covering up all the surveillance cameras in the area. They didn’t want the true story to be told. And there we are today!

I reacted now when the volunteer nurse was presented as a neutral witness, even as a crown witness, rather than the activist she obviously is, just as the military and politicians involved are of course no neutral “witnesses”. All who were a part of the conflict have reduced credibility as witnesses. What we really need is independent neutral witnesses, but they seem to be failing closer examination, even foreign witnesses seem useless as they where siding with one party – just look at the western mainstream media’s coverage then, and later on.

A Johnsen