WASSANA NANUAM
Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas yesterday defended the military's right to suppress the influences of the political powers it ousted in last year's coup, but said such actions must end now an election had been called. The general made the statement in response to a claim by Samak Sundaravej, leader of the People Power party, that he had leaked documents that proved the Council for National Security (CNS) was conspiring against political factions loyal to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Without verifying the authenticity of alleged confidential CNS documents, Gen Boonrawd said it was justifiable for the coup leaders to try to prevent the old power clique from resuming power.
However, he said all such moves must end now the Royal Decree on the Dec 23 general election had taken effect.
He also dismissed a claim previously made by Mr Samak that the CNS has planned to assassinate him.
''It's Mr Samak's own hallucination,'' he said.
The minister said he had instructed all military agencies to step up security measures for classified documents to prevent any leaks of confidential papers.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said that he had asked acting CNS chairman ACM Chalit Phukphasuk to clarify any issues surrounding the alleged documents detailing the plot to undermine the People Power party.
However, Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond insisted the alleged plot to suppress the old power clique would not lead to the postponement of the election.
Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, the former chief of the CNS, dismissed Mr Samak's claims, saying it was a ploy to draw public sympathy before the election.
''It's a political tactic to garner voters' support,'' he said.
However, Gen Sonthi again refused to verify the authenticity of the documents, saying he had not seen them.
Even if they were real, he said, the military language used in the documents might have caused misunderstanding.
Gen Sonthi also maintained that it was imperative for national security that the CNS remained in place until a new government is elected.
His statement followed calls from Supreme commander Gen Boonsrang Niampradit that the CNS be dissolved as it no longer had any power now there was a new constitution.
Gen Sonthi said the current CNS structure, which is made up of six members _ the permanent secretary for defence, the supreme commander, three armed forces commanders and one police chief _ was necessary for national security.
''Although the CNS has no power, the constitution stipulates it must stay and carry on its mission until the new government is formed,'' he said.
He also denied speculation that rifts were forming among the CNS members.
zEDITORIAL Page 10
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