Unity cannot be dictated

The bias of Somsak Kiatsuranont is as evident as the rage that his attitude engenders in the opposition. For unity there needs to be consensus on every point of the bill and agreement on what is being forgiven and any subsequent actions that should be carried out. 

The red-shirt rallies need to be identified as illegal assemblies. The red-shirt rank and file need to be informed of this in detail and forgiven on this occasion. Priority in this category should be given to the settlers in the wat, who were stopped from going home. They should be counselled by lawyers willing to examine the actions of the red-shirt leaders that kept them there. Next should be the rest of the rank and file left to face the crackdown until it looked likely that the leadership might suffer, when surrender rapidly followed. 

The next consideration might be “Were the red-shirt rallies a political act of insurrection against political injustice or for another reason?” 

If this can be agreed, the law can take care of the rest. “Unity” cannot be dictated. There is no possibility of “unity” whilst forgiveness of crimes in government by the leadership is on the agenda. 

Richard Bowler 

Bangkok