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Bangkokpost Perspectives, 10-Oct-99

Embassy heroics  mask real issues

The Burmese embassy siege provides almost pleasant but temporary
relief from the Democrats' crisis of faith

Dr. Narong Saengsuriya

For erstwhile powerful and well-supported coalition parties,
popularity  and enormous state mechanisms no longer provide an
automatic ticket to political office. A host of variables now come
into play.

With the first election under the new constitution not far off, the
ruling  parties, particularly the core Democrats, can no longer rely
heavily on their current political advantages or impressive track
record as a sure guarantee of electoral victory.

Democrat leader Chuan Leekpai, who was riding the crest of a wave by
virtue of his relatively impeccable image, is no longer looked upon
favourably by disenchanted Thai voters. Even his coalition allies are
no longer intimidated by his eroding credibility and popularity.
Coalition heavyweights-Banharn Silpa-archa, Korn Dabbaransi and Suwat
Liptapallop-have made no bones about being disturbed by Prime
Minister Chuan's inaction and double standards, always giving priority
to  Democrat-sponsored initiatives and economic affairs.

While taking pride in his "very, very ordinary origins," Mr Chuan has
been accused of espousing a policy favouring the rich and not being
sympathetic enough to the poor, underprivileged Thais he claims to
identify with. Various groups of protesters and afflicted rural people
have shown themselves to be less than impressed with his slow,
indecisive  managerial style.

Mr Suwat, Chart Pattana (CPP) secretary-general, has been blasted for
boosting the CPP's chances in the coming election at the expense of
the core Democrats, with his repeated calls on the government to curb
soaring oil prices. Mr Korn and Mr Banharn wasted no time in joining
the chorus, urging the government to at least cut the oil excise tax
temporarily.

Thanks to the persistence of the coalition leaders, spearheaded by the
powerful CPP secretary-general, the cabinet finally agreed to the
National Energy Policy Office's proposal to cut the excise tax on
diesel by 50 satang per litre, though it admits that it has yet to
find ways to compensate for the shortfall in excise revenue amounting
to some two billion baht.

Giving the devil his due, Mr Chuan expressed appreciation for Mr
Suwat's suggestion that proceeds from the recent sales of 12
state-owned distilleries could be used to help offset the loss from
the reduction of the excise tax on diesel.

Though Mr Chuan's honest and open style appeared to have initially
struck a chord with the people, the Democrat leader needs to do much
more to stabilise other crisis situations, including those involving
the weakening baht, coalition allies not working in tandem, scandals
and blunders committed by ruling politicians, a threatened ruthless
attack by the opposition, and intense political manoeuvring, with
several MPs and MP hopefuls strongly tipped to switch parties.

The fallout of the hostage drama at the Burmese mission will continue
to be a thorn in the side of the Democrat-led government. Though
well-intentioned, public comments by Interior Minister Sanan
Kachornprasart showing a lack of discretion, not only unnecessarily
compromised his own credibility but also adversely affected the
government's image.

"The hostage-takers aren't terrorists, they are dissidents struggling
to restore democracy," Mr Sanan reportedly said, following the
bloodless conclusion to the hostage crisis. Police were quick to
announce that, on the contrary, some hostage-takers were wanted for
previous criminal activities.

The takeover of the Burmese Embassy was a "conspiracy" involving local
players. "The drama was fishy to say the least and stank of a
conspiracy to employ profanity to embarrass the government here," said
a commentary in a state-run daily in Rangoon.

Nevertheless, Thais held hostage in the 25-hour drama dismissed the
"conspiracy theory," saying neither Thais nor foreigners had colluded
with  the armed Burmese dissidents, according to Thai-language
newspapers.

An opposition MP, however, has accused the government of paying the
armed dissidents $1 million to end the mission takeover. Both the
government and the hostages rejected the accusation as groundless and
irresponsible.

Chalerm Yubamrung, a deputy NAP leader, blamed Thai intelligence
units for failing to acquire necessary information to prevent the
siege, adding that the government has even failed to investigate the
mysterious  death of three dogs at Government House.

If elected, Pol Capt Chalerm said, NAP would make more use of the
death sentence on drug offenders and ensure rehabilitation and
occupational training of all drug users.

The government, meanwhile, has pledged to step up security at all
foreign missions to allay fears in the wake of the Burmese Embassy
siege.

Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan said Burma's call for reinforced
security surveillance was being attended to and that extra protection
would also be mounted at other foreign missions.

Mr Sanan said police will increase their presence outside embassies.
However, individual missions are responsible for arranging their own
security inside the embassy grounds.

Mr Surin denied Rangoon had expressed displeasure at the government's
decision to provide free passage for the hostage-takers as a way to
resolve the crisis.

Mr Surin said his Burmese counterpart Win Aung, who inspected the
embassy on Monday, was glad the incident was resolved peacefully.

Mr Aung, however, urged the Thai government to tighten security at the
Burmese Embassy and said the incident had hurt the morale of his
country's diplomats here.

The Interior Ministry will now review security procedures at Maneeloy
Holding Centre for Burmese refugees in Ratchaburi, said to be a
shelter for anti-Rangoon elements.

Meanwhile, better late than never, construction of a memorial to the
"martyrs" of the massacre on October 6, 1976, has begun. The
foundation stone was laid at Thammasat University, where unarmed
students were slaughtered by a right-wing group. The construction was
expected to be completed in time to coincide with the twenty-fourth
anniversary next year.
                                                         
 ) Copyright The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 1999
 Last Modified: Sun, Oct 10, 1999



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