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BKK POST: Opposition leader denies



February 19, 1998


                                     



                            SALWEEN SCANDAL

              Opposition leader
              denies involvement

              Ex-PM gives govt a week to get culprits

              Wut Nontharit

              Opposition leader Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has denied he is
              involved in illegal logging in the Salween national park and
              wildlife sanctuary in Mae Hong Son province and urges the
              government to arrest the real culprits quickly.

              "It is a groundless rumour. I've never heard about it since the
              tenure of my administration," the former premier said yesterday,
              referring to an allegation that he was behind the illegal logging.

              The opposition was monitoring how the government would
              tackle the Salween illicit logging which was full of influence, he
              said, and urged the quick arrest of those involved in the
              deforestation.

              "The government must tell the truth about the story immediately.
              Those who are involved must be punished because they are very
              bad," said Gen Chavalit, who is also leader of the New
              Aspiration Party.

              NAP deputy spokesman Kuthep Saikrachang said that some
              parties were implying that opposition parties were involved in the
              deforestation.

              He gave the government a week to unmask those involved in
              illegal logging. "If the government cannot meet the deadline, we
              shall consider that to be inefficient," he said.

              But he said the issue would not be raised in the planned censure
              debate because the opposition had other issues in mind.

              On the other hand, Prachakorn Thai Party leader Samak
              Sundaravej urged Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai to take quick
              and decisive action against illegal loggers.

              Evidence was ready so the prime minister should not hesitate to
              tackle the problem or he was afraid of influential people, said the
              party leader whose dissident MPs are in the cabinet.

              It was shameful to cite the presence of armed Karen refugees as
              a reason to delay suppression on illegal logging in Salween
              forests.

              "How can he rule the country if he is afraid of armed enemies?"
              Mr Samak said, apparently referring to the premier. 




                                     




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Last Modified: Thu, Feb 19, 1998