''Amnesty'' Rephrased to ''Reconciliation''
The word ''amnesty'' might be no longer mentioned in a sustained bid to bring Thaksin Shinawatra home. It is only being rephrased as ''reconciliation.''
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung commented the Puea Thai-led government will push for legislation designed to create ''reconciliation'' among opposing sides of society and bring back the former premier, who remains in exile overseas since he was ousted in 2006's coup.
Under the ''reconciliation'' bill, all Yellow Shirt and Red Shirt demonstrators involved in massive protests and faced with ''terrorist'' and other security-related offenses will be given ''amnesty'' but those who may have perpetrated homicides or felony crimes will not be entitled to it, according to Chalerm.
Nonetheless, the ''reconciliation'' legislation, if turned into law, will not benefit those who may have given the orders for army troops to kill and injure Red Shirt protesters in last year's crackdowns which saw 91 people slain and about 2,000 others wounded, he said.
''Our plans to bring back Thaksin, the former premier, have never been called off but remain unchanged. We've only rephrased ''amnesty'' to ''reconciliation'' instead.
''All political detainees will be entitled to amnesty except for those held responsible for the army crackdowns. Thaksin will be the last person to enjoy it. Everything will be done entirely under the established legal procedures,'' Chalerm said.
The deputy premier made his comments amid criticisms the Yingluck government's bids to give ''amnesty'' to all the politically accused were primarily designed to bring home the globetrotting Thaksin.
He did not forecast how soon such ''reconciliation'' efforts might possibly bear fruit.
The Puea Thai Party's rank and file earlier agreed to put off their plans to carry out ''amnesty'' bids for the time being while Matubhum Patry leader Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, who did lead the coup to depose Thaksin, was orchestrating moves under the ''reconciliation'' theme.
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