Govt wants an ‘agreement of truth’

THE GOVERNMENT will host a meeting of political parties and other groups to discuss how to coexist peacefully as part of the latest round of efforts to effect reconciliation.
In line with a government push for political reconciliation, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan yesterday set up a committee to prepare dialogue on unity and reconciliation.
The committee, whose members were appointed yesterday, is charged with seeking opinions from the military, police, academics, experts and political figures to compose an “agreement of truth” to be applied to political parties and other groups involved in conflicts. 
The agreement would not relate to pardons or amnesty for lawbreakers involved in conflicts, and it would be differentiated from law enforcement and the constitution, Prawit said.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, meanwhile, yesterday called for a transparent process aimed at achieving political reconciliation.
He said any agreements reached between political groups involved in conflicts should be done openly and the public should be informed clearly.
The prime minister also voiced support for Prawit’s “agreement of truth”, in which parties would have to promise to cooperate to reach reconciliation. 
“Political parties and groups may need to promise what they will do and not do. This is an agreement of truth. They have to comply with the conditions and keep their promise,” Prayut said.
“In the meantime, we have to allow society to know about the agreement. This should not be done surreptitiously,” he said.
The prime minister also reiterated that reconciliation should not be tied to amnesties or reduced penalties for lawbreakers involved in political conflicts.
Prawit has been assigned to deal with political parties and other groups involved in reconciliation.
The deputy prime minister said yesterday that hearings soliciting opinions would be carried out while the junta’s ban on political gatherings and party meetings would remain in effect.
When asked what the military would do given that it was seen as a political force, Prawit replied: “That’s an allegation against us. We never attack anyone nor hold any opponent.”
The junta’s move on reconciliation received support yesterday from various political figures, some of whom said reconciliation attempts must treat all parties equally under the rule of law and clarify the core problems honestly.

Different views of junta role
Key Pheu Thai Party figure Sudarat Keyuraphan said the powers-that-be must stay neutral while mediating the talks. 
“They have turned themselves into a contestant during these past couple of years,” Sudarat said. “They should also seriously and honestly listen to all sides, who should no longer be taken for granted.”
While agreeing with Prayut that reconciliation should not start with an amnesty, she said such a move could still be one possible solution to problems. 
“The process should start from seeking opinions and common ground from all sides,” she said. “Common interests should also be prioritised when doing so.”
Ramet Rattanachaweng, deputy spokesman of the Democrat Party, said the government should correctly understand reconciliation plans and not turn “unlawful into lawful”, in possible reference to the previous Pheu Thai-led government’s attempt to pardon fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
“Disrespect of the judicial system and corruption have stirred up Thai politics,” Ramet said. 
“We’re not against Pheu Thai but we are against outlaws. If the reconciliation means that we have to accept wrongdoing, we may not be able to do so,” he said.
Nattawut Saikua, of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), said reconciliation could not be accomplished by the actions of a single participant in the conflict. 
“The UDD is willing to join the dialogue. Still, we have to see whether the junta’s committee will act as a party to the conflicts,” said Nattawut, a senior Pheu Thai politician. 
“The powers-that-be should be really honest as well as pay full attention to the facts from all sides,” he added.
Akanat Promphan, spokesman of the People’s Democratic Reform Foundation (PDRF), agreed with the junta that amnesty was not always a means to reconciliation, referring to the previous government’s attempt clear Thaksin of charges and allow him to return to Thailand. 
“The move eventually brought conflicts,” Akanat said. “If amnesty is not carried out in the ‘right way’, it could create misunderstanding for the public.”
Akanat said he was content with the junta’s record enforcing the law and managing political developments, adding that the PDRF held the rule of law in high regard. “We have been messed up because laws were not respected,” he said.