Myndigheterna uppger att så många som 10 000 poliser har mobiliserats på grund av protesterna mot den thailändske premiärministern och ytterligare 10 000 poliser finns i beredskap. Polisen uppskattar folksamlingen till omkring 30 000 människor.

Organisatörerna hade hoppats på en miljon människor men myndigheterna uppger att ungefär samma antal munkar har samlats för att bedja för fred och enighet. Det är långt färre än de 100 000 människor som har samlats vid tidigare demonstrationer.

Thaskin har utlyst valet tre år tidigare i en förhoppning att reda ut krisen. Sånger som "Thaksin, get out" har hörts och det rapporteras om band som spelar utanför premiärministerns kontor. En skylt skriven på engelska med texten "For rent" har satts upp på staketet utanför regeringsbyggnaden.

De tre stora oppositionspartierna bojkottar det kommande valet och förklarar att valprocessen är oärlig eftersom Thaksin har tagit över oberoende institutioner. Thaksin som en gång var en av Thailands rikaste personer överförde ägandet i sina bolag till släktingar och anställda när han blev premiärminister.

Demonstrationerna varje vecka i Bangkok med 100 000-tals människor som samlas för att avsätta den hårt ansatte Thaksin är den största åsiktsyttringen från en folkmassa sedan 1992, då stora demonstrationer och militärens massakrer kulminerade i slutet för det militära styret i Thailand.

Den senaste demonstrationen på lördagen förde med sig en serie av protester och fortsatte med en protestmarsch genom det stora affärsdistriktet. Protestanterna kommer att sammanstråla vid polisens högkvarter på måndag för att kräva att premiärministern anklagas för kriminalitet.

Polisen kommer att finnas på demonstrationsplatsen, i närheten av hans kontor och vid andra viktiga regeringskontor uppger polisens talesman general Achirawit Suphanaphesat. Thaksin som anklagas för att undergräva åsiktsyttringar och tryckfrihet har lovat att förklara nödläge om protesterna övergår i våldsamheter.

Denna artikel är en kort telegramartikel. Vet du mer om ämnet den beskriver kan du hjälpa till med att utvidga den.

4 april 2006: Thaksin Shinawatra avgår
3 april 2006: Valet i Thailand en motgång för Thaksin
2 april 2006: Thailand går till nyval
29 mars 2006: Stora demonstrationer inför valet i Thailand
25 mars 2006: Tiotusentals människor samlades mot Thailands premiärminister
16 mars 2006: Thaksin återvände till Bangkok, undviker demonstranter
15 mars 2006: Thaksin Shinawatra överväger att avgå
14 mars 2006: Tiotusentals krävde Shinawatras avgång i Bangkok
6 mars 2006: Stor demonstration mot Thailands premiärminister
27 februari 2006: Nya thailändska protester mot Thaksin

Thaksin Shinawatra

Demonstrationer

26 april 2008: Starka reaktioner mot friade poliser i New York
23 april 2008: Strejken inte så samhällsfarlig
21 april 2008: Vårdförbundet strejkar
12 april 2008: Demonstration mot låga vårdlöner
9 april 2008: Oroligheter i Haiti
7 april 2008: Franska poliser släcker OS-facklan
27 mars 2008: Försvarets dag i Burma möts med protester
26 februari 2008: Demonstrationer i Bosnien mot Kosovos självständighet
16 februari 2008: Våldsvåg i Danmark
13 januari 2008: Sardinien protestererar mot Neapels sopor

• Thailand
 • Sydostasien

• Thaksin Shinawatra
• Thailand

Händelser 25 mars • mars • 2006 • kvartal 1 • vecka 12
Publiceringar 25 mars • mars • 2006 • kvartal 1 • vecka 12


Tensions between the U.S. and Russia flare before the G8 Summit

Ahead of the G8 summit next week, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the U.S. starting an arms race and called it an "imperial power." "We are not the initiators of this new round of the arms race," Putin said during a joint Kremlin news conference.

On Tuesday, Russia test-fired a new missile with multiple warheads and a new cruise missile, which Russian generals say are sufficient to ensure the country's security for the next 40 years.

President Putin defended the missile technology saying that it is: "aimed at maintaining the balance of forces in the world."

Putin, alarmed by U.S. plans to deploy parts of its global missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic said: "There is a clear desire by some international players to dictate their will to everyone without adhering to international law," Putin said. "International law has been replaced by political reasons."

"In our opinion it is nothing different from diktat, nothing different from imperialism," he added.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice fired back saying Russia's fears are "ludicrous." The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov responded to Rice's claims by saying that "There is nothing ludicrous about it"

Putin, who has been faulted both in Russia and abroad for curtailing civic freedoms, is in his second term as President of Russia. The term will expire in 2008.


Les tensions entre Russie et États-Unis s'accroissent avant le sommet du G8

Juste avant le sommet du G8 qui se tiendra la semaine prochaine, le Président russe Vladimir Poutine vient d'accuser les États-Unis d'Amérique de commencer une course aux armements et les a qualifié de « puissance impériale ». « Nous ne sommes pas les initiateurs de cette nouvelle manche de la course aux armements » a-t-il indiqué lors d'une conférence de presse commune au Kremlin.
Jeudi, la Russie a procédé à l'essai d'un nouveau missile avec des ogives multiples et un nouveau missile de croisière, ce que les généraux russes pensent pouvoir assurer la sécurité du pays pendant les quarante prochaines années.
Le Président Poutine a défendu la technologie des missiles, qui selon lui « contribue à maintenir l'équilibre des forces dans le monde ».
Cependant, alerté par les plans américains de déploiement de son système de défense anti-missile global en Pologne et en République tchèque, il a déclaré : « il y a une volonté claire de certains acteurs internationaux de dicter leur volonté à tous sans s'embarasser de la loi internationale. (...) La loi internationale a été remplacée par des motivations politiques. ».
« Nous pensons que ce n'est rien d'autre qu'un diktat, rien d'autre que de l'impérialisme » a-t-il ajouté.
La Secrétaire d'État américaine Condoleezza Rice a répliqué en qualifiant les craintes russes de « risibles », ce à quoi le Ministre des Affaires étrangères russe, Sergei Lavrov, à répondu : « il n'y a rien de risible à ce propos ».
Vladimir Poutine, pris en défaut à la fois en Russie et à l'étranger pour son non-respect des libertés civiles, arrive au terme de son second mandat, qui expirera en 2008.


Tensions continue to rise in Middle East over "Mohammad Cartoons"

The publishing of a series of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad in a Copenhagen newspaper sparked a string of harsh and in some places violent reactions in the Middle East, forcing European leaders to try to calm the situation.

This backlash started in late September 2005, when the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published a dozen cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad. The images ranged from serious to comical in nature; a particularly controversial cartoon portrays Mohammad with a bomb wrapped in his turban. The Jutland-based newspaper states that the images were meant to inspire some level of public debate over the image of Islam in Europe, and had no direct aim of offending anyone.

However, many Muslims follow the doctrine of aniconism concerning the portrayal of Mohammad. This tenet of Islam states that the Prophet Mohammad should not be depicted in any type of art, regardless of the intent of the piece. This belief, along with the potentially insensitive nature of some of the caricatures, have caused offense to many Muslims in the Arab world.

In the past month, the controversy over these cartoons escalated. The cartoons were re-published last month in Spain, Italy, Germany, France and the Netherlands (where the latter two nations have large Muslim populations), and have begun to re-circulate throughout the Middle East.

Many Danish companies have been targeted for boycotts. As Wikinews reported last week, Arla Foods, Denmark's top dairy company, has seen their sales fall to zero in some Middle East nations. Carrefour, a French retail chain, has pulled all Danish products from its shelves in the region. Earlier this week, protests were held throughout the region, including the Gaza Strip in Jerusalem, where Hamas supporters led an assault and protest that surrounded the European Union offices for Israel.

Hamas members, some armed with guns, stormed the EU office (which is primarily staffed by Arabs) and demanded apologies from EU member states, saying they would otherwise face serious consequences. "It will be a suitable reaction, and it won't be predictable," said Abu Hafss, a member of the Al Quds Brigade (an affiliate of the group Islamic Jihad), in a press conference outside the EU offices. And the Abu al-Reesh Brigades, a group related to the late Yassir Arafat's Fatah party, warned that EU member states had 10 hours to apologize for the cartoons or their citizens would be "in danger".

Jamila Al Shanty, a newly elected Hamas legislator, stated that more rallies will be planned in protest of the cartoons. "We are angry - very, very, very angry," Al Shanty said today, adding that "No one can say a bad word about our prophet."

The Iranian newspaper Hamshari daily has stated that on February 8 it will publish anti-semitic cartoons in response to the Danish cartoons, apparently failing to notice that Denmark has only a tiny Jewish population, since most escaped to Sweden during the World War II Holocaust. The newspaper says that the cartoons will lampoon the Holocaust despite denials by the Iranian government that the Holocaust even happened.

Jyllands-Posten, the newspaper that first published the cartoons did issue an apology to Arab countries on Monday, shortly after the EU office incident. But with the support of the government of Denmark, the newspaper had earlier defended its actions fiercely, citing the universal right to free press, and its duty to serve democratic traditions by inspiring debate. Indeed, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Prime Minister of Denmark, said "We are talking about an issue with fundamental significance to how democracies work." In fact, some European pundits have placed more fault on Muslims for refusing to "accept Western standards of free speech and pluralism". When the cartoons were originally published in 2005 they were intended to highlight and redress the unequal restrictions applied to Islamic content in European newspapers in comparison with content referring to other religions. The cartoons are also self-referential, with one character in the cartoons writing in Arabic on a blackboard "Jyllands-Posten's journalists are a bunch of reactionary provocateurs", and another cartoon showing a cartoonist having to work in hiding because one of the cartoons he is drawing includes an image of the Prophet Mohammad. The text around the cartoons stated:

However, some world leaders have elected to help defuse what could be a major social crisis in Europe and the Middle East. France's foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said that freedom of the press should be exercised "in the spirit of tolerance", sentiments which were echoed by United Nations General Secretary Kofi Annan. Ursula Plassnik, foreign minister of Austria, said that the European community must "clearly condemn" acts which insult religion. And Hamid Karzai, president of Afghanistan, warned Europe that "any insult to the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) is an insult to more than one billion Muslims and an act like this must never be allowed to be repeated."

Rasmussen, in an interview with Arabic TV Al arabia, said that "...Danish government condemns any expression and any action which offends people's religious feelings..." and also said that he does not understand why, as the cartoons were originally published in September, the situation has only truly started to deteriorate in the past week.

In Denmark, there are counter-demonstrations by moderate Muslims saying they don't want the images banned. Munira Mirza commented that many Muslims "want to be able to say: 'Hey we're not children, we can handle criticism, we don't need special protection - we're equal'. Many don't want to be treated as a special group, seen as worthy of more protection from criticism than other groups because of their apparent victim status."

Religious satirist Stewart Lee commented that Jyllands-Posten had "tried to deal with a subject they don't know enough about, and this is one of the teething problems of the cross-over of cultures in the world. I'm sure the level of offence is far greater than would have been intended."

The director (Directeur de publication) of "France Soir", a French national newspaper was fired in response for publishing a cartoon titled: "Yes, we have the right to (joke about) characterise God" (Oui, on a le droit de caricaturer Dieu). The "France-Soir" web site is presently offline. The cartoon is partially visible on a nouvelobs.com website.

Today, Libération, another French national newspaper, is publishing two of the "Mohammad Cartoons". Other newspapers across France are asking for their rights to freedom of the press to be defended.

Charlie Hebdo, a well-known satirical newspaper, will publish articles to support cartoonists, freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

The general reaction in France seems to be that most citizens except religious people (Catholics, Muslims,...) are astounded by the level of anger against the "Mohammad Cartoons".

On February 9 2006 Queensland Premier Peter Beattie gave The Courier Mail Newspaper his blessings in publishing the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons/depictions of Muhammad stating that he is a firm believer in free speech and ones freedom of expression.
On the very same day he got his legal representative to write to the author of this site photoduck.com demanding he censor material relating to him and his Government.

Although many newspapers have not republished the cartoons in order to avoid backlashes, the drawings have appeared on the Internet and are being revealed at a number of Web sites and blogs.  On January 30th, Fox News contributor Michelle Malkin placed the drawings on her blog, and encouraged others to do the same.


Karikaturstreit beginnt zu eskalieren

Kopenhagen (Dänemark), 03.02.2006 – Im September erschienen in der dänischen Zeitung Jyllands-Posten zwölf Karikaturen, die den Islamgründer Mohammed unter anderem als Terroristen darstellten. Diese Karikaturen sind nun Auslöser für einen internationalen, kulturell-religiösen Streit zwischen Dänemark und den arabischen Ländern. Deren Vertreter in Dänemark haben bereits im November ein Treffen mit Staatsminister Anders Fogh Rasmussen gefordert, was dieser damals ablehnte. Die damals ebenfalls aufgestellte Forderungen nach einer Bestrafung der Zeitung hatte der Staatsminister als Zensur abgelehnt.

Die Spannungen sind in der Zwischenzeit in einer Weise gestiegen, dass der Groll seitens vieler Moslems in den arabischen Ländern sich nicht nur gegen Dänemark, sondern auch gegen alle anderen europäischen Länder richtet. So werden in 20 arabischen Ländern dänische Waren boykottiert und es wird mit Anschlägen in Europa gedroht.

Als Grund für die Eskalation wird vermutet, dass dänische Imame im Ausland ein verzerrtes Bild von Dänemark verbreitet hätten. In Dänemark versuchen zwar einige gemäßigte Moslems zu vermitteln, jedoch sind auch einige Vermittlungsversuche scheinheilig. So kündigte Großmufti Abu Laban im dänischen Fernsehsender TV 2 eine Vermittlung an, jedoch war der darauf folgende arabische Text alles andere als mäßigend.

Staatspräsident Fogh hat nun im arabischen Fernsehen versucht zu erklären, warum die dänische Regierung nicht gegen eine Zeitung vorgeht. Was dieser Gesprächsversuch gebracht hat, ist bisher unklar. In Dänemark gehen hingegen die Frontenkriege weiter. So wurden Schüler in einer anonymen SMS aufgefordert, öffentlich Korantexte zu verbrennen.

Heute morgen wurde in Jakarta die dänische Botschaft von Muslimen gestürmt. Die EU und Norwegen schlossen bereits ihre Büros im Gazastreifen. Der französische Chef der Zeitung France Soir wurde entlassen, da sein arabischer Chef nicht mit der Veröffentlichung der Karikaturen in seiner Zeitung einverstanden war. Dieser Schritt, der als Zensur angesehen wird, wurde wiederum vom französischen Außenministerium kritisiert.

UN-Generalsekretär Kofi Annan sagte zu dem Streit, „die Freiheit der Presse sollte immer so ausgeübt werden, dass auch der religiöse Glauben und die Grundsätze aller Religionen voll respektiert werden.“ Er forderte beide Seiten zum Dialog auf. Der türkische Premier Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hingegen sprach von einem „Angriff auf unsere geistig-moralischen Werte“.

Auch Deutschland bekam die Auswirkungen dieser Auseinandersetzung zu spüren. So wurde in Nablus ein deutscher Lehrer von radikalen Palästinensern entführt. Nach Angaben der Polizei haben die Al-Aksa-Brigaden bereits seit Tagen gezielt nach Ausländern gesucht. Sie besetzten auch vor einigen Tagen das leerstehende EU-Büro im Gazastreifen. Ein Sprecher der Al-Aksa-Brigaden bestreitet aber, dass diese den Deutschen entführt haben. Der Verschleppte kam nach wenigen Stunden wieder frei.

Wie das Internetmagazin Spiegel.de berichtet, sind derzeit die Seiten der französischen Zeitung „France Soir“ und des Internetportals „Hagalil“ nicht zu erreichen. Spiegel.de vermutet, dass es sich dabei um gezielte Hackerangriffe auf diese Seiten handelt. Die „France Soir“ hatte die umstrittenen Karikaturen veröffentlicht. Eine Bestätigung für diese Aussagen hat Spiegel.de jedoch noch nicht.


Polémiques autour des caricatures de Mahomet

Notamment une des caricatures représente Mahomet coiffé d'une bombe. Le MRAP a décidé de poursuivre France Soir pour incitation à la haine raciale.

Tout a commencé par la parution dans un journal danois le Jyllands-Posten de caricatures dont une représente le prophète musulman Mahomet. Très rapidement des actions violentes ont été prises dans certains pays du Moyen-Orient pour protester contre cette publication (manifestations, boycott de produits danois,...)

En France, à la suite de la publication par le journal France Soir d'un article intitulé « Oui, on a le droit de caricaturer Dieu » et illustré d'une caricature représentant plusieurs religions, l'actionnaire principal a licencié le directeur de publication, lequel a le soutien de l'équipe éditoriale.
Un certain nombre de manifestations anti-françaises ont eu lieu depuis.

En France, beaucoup d'organisations religieuses critiquent les caricatures mais condamnent les violences alors que des recours en justice sont possibles lorsque un journal dépasse les limites de son droit à la liberté d'expression dans la plupart des pays.
Le premier ministre danois a indiqué dans un interview à la chaine TV Al arabia que « [...] le gouvernement danois condamnait tout ce qui pouvait blesser des sentiments religieux [...] » mais qu'il ne conprenait pas la violence actuelle alors que les dessins avaient été publiés en septembre sans aucun problème particulier.


Fortsatta demonstrationer mot Muhammedteckningarna

Danmark –
De muslimska protesterna mot publiceringen av den kontroversiella serien om profeten Muhammed fortsätter. I Irak, Egypten och Palestina har muslimska grupper uppmanat till demonstrationer och i Indonesien attackerade demonstranter den danska ambassaden, uppger BBC.

Incidenten i Indonesien föranleddes av att en tidning där publicerat serierna på sin webbplats.

Enligt Danmarks statsminister Anders Fogh Rasmussen handlar protesterna inte längre om Danmark utan har utvecklats till en konflikt mellan den västerländska tryckfriheten och muslimska tabun.


Thabo Mbeki visits Zimbabwe amid rising violence

South African president Thabo Mbeki has arrived in Harare today to talk with Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe about the upcoming presidential run-off election. This comes amid claims that violence has risen in the country over the last few days.

The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights claim there has been a "dramatic escalation in incidents of organised violence and torture" after the recent elections with "more than 900" documented as injured. The organization said in a statement that "the level of brutality and callousness exhibited by the perpetrators is unprecedented and the vicious and cowardly attacks by so-called war veterans on women, children and the elderly shames the memory of all true heroes of the liberation struggle".

Mr. Mbeki is acting as a mediator for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and may have discussed elections and the recent crackdown on opposition by the Mugabe government, which has included the arrest of Davison Maruziva, editor of free newspaper The Standard, 22 deaths, the displacement of 40,000 opposition farming families and such a casualty influx into Harare hospitals that they are worried that plaster of Paris bandage supplies will soon be "exhausted".

Talks between the two leaders at State House lasted for more than three hours before Mbeki left for the South African embassy in Harare.

Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the largest opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), plans to announce whether he will stand for the run-off election in the South African city of Pretoria, where he is currently residing, tomorrow at 9:00 UTC.


מבקי מבקר בזימבבואה על רקע האלימות הגואה במדינה

נשיא דרום אפריקה, תאבו מבקי, הגיע לביקור בהרארה בירת זימבבואה (לשעבר רודזיה) על-מנת לקיים שיחות עם עמיתו הנשיא רוברט מוגאבה על אודות הסיבוב השני בבחירות לנשיאות המיועד להערך בקרוב. את הביקור סובבות טענות על התגברות האלימות הפוליטית במדינה במרוצת הימים האחרונים.

ארגון זימבבואה של רופאים למען זכויות אדם טוען כי לאחר הבחירות האחרונות "נצפתה הסלמה דרמטית בתקריות של אלימות מאורגנת ועינויים" עם "למעלה מ-900" פצועים מתועדים. הארגון מסר בהצהרה לעיתונות כי "רמת הברוטליות שננקטה על-ידי המבצעים הינה חסרת תקדים וההתקפות האכזריות והפחדניות על-ידי וותיקי המלחמה בעיני עצמם על נשים, ילדים וקשישים ממיטות חרפה על זכרון כל הגיבורים האמיתיים של מלחמת השחרור." אמירה זו מתייחסת לתומכיו של מוגאבה, הטוענים כי הם מייצגים את וותיקי מלחמת הגרילה שניהל הרוב השחור נגד ממשלתה הלבנה של רודזיה.

מר מבקי משמש כמתווך בעבור הקהילייה הדרום-אפריקאית לפיתוח (SADC) ואפשר שדן בבחירות ובהתנפלות האחרונה על האופוזיציה בידי ממשלת מוגאבה, שכללה את מעצרו של דייוידסון מארוזיווה, עורך העיתון העצמאי "The Standard" והביאה להריגת 22 אנשים, גירוש ארבעה-ריבוא משפחות חקלאיות תומכות האופוזיציה ולזרם כזה של פצועים לבתי-החולים של הרארה עד כי ישנו חשש לכך שמלאי האגדים הדביקים יאזל לגמרי.

השיחות בין שני המנהיגים בבניין הממשל ארכו למעלה משלוש שעות בטרם עזב מבקי ופנה לשגרירות ארצו בהרארה.

מורגן טסוונגיראי, מנהיג מפלגת האופוזיציה הגדולה ביותר, התנועה לשינוי דמוקרטי (MDC), הכריז כי יעמיד עצמו לבחירה בסיבוב הבחירות השני. זאת לאחר ששקל להחרים את הסיבוב השני, בטענה שהתוצאות זוייפו על-ידי ועדת הבחירות  המרכזית וכי הוא זכה לרוב הדרוש (50 אחוזים) כבר בסיבוב הראשון. טסוונגיראי הודיע על כך במסיבת-עיתונאים בפרטוריה, "הבירה הביצועית" של דרום-אפריקה, וכן אמר כי בכוונתו לשוב לארצו בקרוב.


Thai junta partially lifts political ban

Political parties in Thailand have regained some of their freedoms, following an agreement on Tuesday by the government's military-appointed Cabinet.

As a result of the deal, parties are now allowed to meet and hold activities, opening the way for elections that are tentatively planned for December. However, a ban on forming new political parties remains in effect, until at least next week. Government spokesman Nattawat Suthiyothin said a bill on new parties would be forwarded to the National Legislative Assembly. And the Cabinet says that the ban on leaders of dissolved political parties remains in effect.

Political gatherings and activities had been banned by the junta since the military's overthrow of the civilian government in September of last year. But in the face of recent protests, the military's ruling body, the Council for National Security, agreed on Monday to recommend that political activities be allowed.

The move by the Cabinet comes six days after a Constitutional Tribunal in which the former ruling party, Thai Rak Thai was ordered dissolved and its leaders, including ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra banned from politics for five years. Thai Rak Thai was found guilty of violations in the April 2006 general election. Another prominent party, the opposition Democrat Party, was also on trial, but was allowed to remain intact.

Though the junta has outlawed political gatherings, demonstrations have still been tolerated in Bangkok. One of the largest came on Saturday, when 6,000 supporters of a satellite television station, PTV, held a rally. The pro-Thaksin PTV has been taken off the air by the junta, as have several pro-Thaksin websites. The junta also ordered that text messages be sent to mobile-phone subscribers, asking them to stay away from demonstrations.

But the junta has shown signs of moving the nation back towards the democratic process, with the leader of the coup, Council for National Security chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin suggesting an amnesty for the banned political leaders. The idea was widely criticized, though, and Sonthi later retracted his statement, saying the amnesty notion had been proposed by the National Legislative Assembly.


Betätigungsverbot für politische Parteien in Thailand aufgehoben

Bangkok (Thailand), 06.06.2007 – Die vom Militärrat eingesetzte thailändische Übergangsregierung hat am Dienstag die politischen Rechte der Parteien in Thailand wieder hergestellt. Mit sofortiger Wirkung dürfen die Parteien wieder ihre politische Arbeit aufnehmen. Nach der Machtübernahme durch das Militär im September 2006 war ein Betätigungsverbot für alle politischen Parteien verhängt worden.

Damit können sich die Parteien auf die für Dezember geplanten Parlamentswahlen vorbereiten. Eine andere Entscheidung des Militärrates soll jedoch in Kraft bleiben. Diese betrifft ein politisches Betätigungsverbot für Funktionäre der am 30. Mai verbotenen Partei des ehemaligen Ministerpräsidenten Thaksin Shinawatra, „Thai Rak Thai“ (Thai lieben Thai, TRT). Wenige Stunden nach der Aufhebung des politischen Betätigungsverbots kündigten ehemalige Mitglieder der verbotenen TRT an, eine neue Partei gründen zu wollen, die sich „Pro-Thaksin Anti-Diktatur Gruppe“ nennt. Die Gruppierung strebt an, sich wieder unter dem alten Parteinamen TRT zu formieren. Inwieweit das zulässig ist, bedarf noch der Klärung.

Der Vorsitzende des Militärrates, General Sonthi, erklärte, die Aufhebung des politischen Betätigungsverbots werde das politische Klima in Thailand verbessern und zeige außerdem den Willen, die für Dezember angekündigten Parlamentswahlen abzuhalten, mit der der Militärrat die Macht an eine gewählte zivile Regierung übergeben werde.


Thai king endorses October 15 general election rerun

Thailand's king, Bhumibol Adulyadej has endorsed a decree confirming that the new general election will take place on October 15, 2006.

The King's proclamation follows on from a year of political turmoil in the country, involving public demonstrations calling for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to step down amid perceptions of government corruption and legal malfeasance.  A series of legal actions against popular public figures and opposition politicians led to further unrest and a surprise decision by Thaksin to hold a snap-election on April 2, 2006.

An opposition boycott left Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party certain of victory, but unable to meet the conditions of the constitution for opening parliament.  By-elections were ordered in areas where unopposed candidates failed to be returned, however the country's constitutional court eventually ruled the April 2 election void due to privacy issues surrounding the arrangement of polling booths.

October's election may not be the final point in the ongoing political crisis, Thai Rak Thai and the opposition Democrats (Pak Prachatipat), alongside three minor parties, face allegations of election fraud which could lead to any of the parties being dissolved.  Unfortunately the volume of evidence presented to the Constitutional Court may lead to a ruling being given after the election.


Rei tailandês endossa eleição para 15 de Outubro

O rei da Tailândia, Bhumibol Adulyadejy endossou um decreto que confirma que a nova eleição geral se realizará no dia 15 de outubro de 2006.

A proclamação do Rei acontece em meio a um tumulto político que dura um ano. Manifestações públicas  já pediram a saída do Primeiro-Ministro Thaksin Shinawatra em meio  à percepção de que houve corrupção e atividades ilegais no governo.

Uma série de ações legais contra figuras públicas conhecidas e políticos da oposição trouxe confusão  e levou a uma decisão inesperada de Thaksin  marcar uma repentina eleição  para o dia 2 de abril de 2006.

Por causa de um boicote da oposição o partido Rak Tailandês, ao qual pertecence Thaksin,  ficou com certeza  da vitória. Todavia, ao mesmo tempo ele  ficou sem condições  de constitucionalmente abrir o parlamento.

Eleições suplementares foram então encomendadas para áreas onde os candidatos que não pertencem à oposição não conseguiram vencer.  Contudo o Tribunal Constitucional do país decidiu que a eleição do dia 2 de abril foi nula por causa de questões   envolvendo a privacidade das cabines de votação.

A eleição de outubro pode não ser o ponto final na contínua crise política tailandesa. O Partido Rak Tailandês e os Democratas de Oposição (Pak Prachatipat), ao lado de três partidos menores, enfrentam acusações de fraude na eleição, o que pode levar a algum desses partidos  a serem  dissolvidos.

Para piorar, o grande volume de evidências apresentadas ao Tribunal Constitucional pode levar a uma decisão para depois da eleição


Thai PM barred from politics, three parties dissolved

Today's ruling from Thailand's Constitutional Court sees the Prime Minister, Somchai Wongsawat, removed from office, barred from politics, and the People's Power Party (PPP) dissolved. The allegations leading to this were of vote buying in the last election.

The decision has already eased tension in the country, with the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) announcing they will end their siege of Bangkok's two main international airports. Red-shirted pro-government protesters were dismayed at the court's decision. Initially they blockaded the Constitutional Court buildings to try and prevent the case being heard; following its relocation they moved on to the Administrative Court to protest a decision they claim is anti-democratic.

In addition to the PPP being disbanded and outlawed, two other parties in the ruling coalition were found guilty. The Chart Thai and Matchimathipataya parties were also outlawed and, between the three parties, 109 members barred from all involvement in the electoral process - including the right to vote. Among those disenfranchised were three ex-Prime Ministers. Those remaining from the executive of the outlawed parties have stated their intention to reform under a new name and attempt to continue in government.

Prior to the PAD announcing that their airport blockades would end, another grenade attack at one of the airports killed one and injured around 20 other protesters. Yesterday saw the PAD announce plans to abandon the Government House compound they have occupied since August. Following numerous grenade attacks on their encampment there, they elected to move to the airport protest sites and leave what has become a regular target; it is expected to take until Thursday to remove all belongings accumulated at the key site since the August invasion.

Somchai, brother-in-law to the fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, has been a target of the PAD since he assumed the office following his predecessor being ousted over a conflict of interest issue. The PPP and Somchai are seen as a proxy for Thaksin and his banned Thai Rak Thai party, which the military overthrew in a bloodless coup in 2006.


Bangkok: Thailands Regierung wegen Wahlbetrugs aufgelöst

Bangkok (Thailand), 02.12.2008 – Das thailändische Verfassungsgericht hat die Regierungsparteien auflösen lassen und damit auch Ministerpräsident Somchai die Regierungsberechtigung entzogen. Des Weiteren wird angenommen, dass der Grund für die monatelangen Blockaden damit weggefallen ist. Als Grund gab das Gericht an, dass es sich um Wahlbetrug handele.

Die zahlreichen Demonstranten des thailändischen Oppositionsbündnisses Volksallianz für Demokratie (PAD), die neben anderen Akteuren seit Monaten den Sitz der Regierung besetzt halten, hatten angekündigt, sie würden als Verstärkung zu den ebenfalls besetzten Flughäfen ziehen und dort weiter für die Absetzung von Premierminister Somchai kämpfen. Nach den Vorfällen am Wochenende, als eine neben einer Bühne explodierende Granate 46 Menschen zum Teil schwer verletzte, sei dies notwendig geworden, hieß es.

Am Montag durften 30 von rund 90 Flugzeugen, die sich noch auf einem Flughafen befanden, am Morgen leer starten, weitere 50 durften im Tagesverlauf noch folgen. Noch immer säßen etwa 350.000 Touristen in Bankok fest und warten darauf nach Hause fliegen zu können. Dies ist momentan nur von umliegenden Flughäfen, vorrangig und behelfsweise von einem kleinen Militärflughafen möglich. Unterdessen sind am Montagabend bei einer Granatenexplosion am internationalen Don-Muang Flughafen ein Mensch getötet und 22 weitere verletzt worden.


Oikeus vapautti Thaimaan pääministerin tehtävistään

Perustuslakituomioistuin tuomitsi tänään Thaimaan pääpuolue PPP:n ja kaksi muuta hallituspuoluetta äänten ostamisesta joulukuisissa vaaleissa. Oikeusistuin määräsi puolueet lopetettaviksi ja kielsi puoluejohtajia, myös pääministeri Somchai Wongsawatia, osallistumasta politiikkaan viiteen vuoteen. Wongsawat sanoi tyytyvänsä oikeuden päätökseen.

PPP:n muut poliitikot aikovat järjestäytyä uudeksi Puea Thai (’Thaimaan puolesta’) -puolueeksi.

Hallitusvastainen PAD-järjestö otti oikeuden päätöksen vastaan ilolla. Bangkokin lentoasemia jo päiväkausia hallussaan pitäneet mielenosoittajat sanoivat Guardianin mukaan lopettavansa lentoaseman hallussaan pitämisen huomenna. Ilmailuviranomaisten on määrä huomenna ilmoittaa, kuinka pian Bangkokiin arvioidaan voitavan tehdä lentoja. Thaimaassa on paljon turisteja, jotka eivät ole päässeet poistumaan maasta lentoasemien toiminnan pysähdyttyä.

Vastapuoli, hallitusmyönteiset mielenosoittajat, puolestaan suuttui oikeuden päätöksestä. Hallitusmyönteiset saartoivat oikeustalon ja pakottivat tuomarit antamaan tuomionsa toisaalla. Yöaikaan heitettiin lentoterminaaliin kranaatti, joka tappoi yhden ja vahingoitti 22 nukkuvaa mielenosoittajaa. Human Rights Watchin Sunai Thasuk sanoi, että Thaimaassa on kriisi, ja luonnehti tilannetta räjähdysherkäksi. Hän totesi hallitusmielisten olevan ”hyvin, hyvin vihaisia”.

Jotkut asiantuntijat ovat pitäneet oikeuden päätöstä verrannollisena monarkistis–sotilaalliseen vallankaappaukseen. Giles Ungpakorn, politiikan tutkija bangkokilaisessa yliopistossa, on huolissaan siitä, että monarkistieliitti tekee nyt kaikkensa riisuakseen kansanvallan köyhältä, hallitusmieliseltä kansan enemmistöltä.


Thai PM declares state of emergency over airport blockades

With Thailand's People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) still blockading Bangkok's two international airports, the People's Power Party (PPP) Prime Minister, Somchai Wongsawat, has declared a state of emergency around Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi international airports. Police have been ordered to end the blockade and demonstrations, prompting the PAD to move demonstrators inside terminal buildings and post volunteer guards to fend off any action by authorities.

The staunchly royalist and anti-government protesters began upping the stakes in their campaign to bring down the populist PPP government last Sunday. A rallying call for protesters to mass at the occupied Government House compound on Sunday saw thousands ready for their Monday morning march on parliament. Since forcing the cancellation of sessions of both houses of parliament, the protesters have expanded their targets to include temporary government offices at Don Mueang, and then to close both of Bangkok's international airports.

Disruption by the PAD has now been in progress for over three months. The group which initially demonstrated in 2006 leading to a bloodless military coup to overthrow the now-fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra claims the current government is corrupt and merely a proxy for Thaksin, who remains in self-imposed exile. The current escalation of action has been dubbed their 'final battle' and although army commanders have dismissed reports that a second coup may be imminent, rumours that such may happen abound.

The PAD action is now starting to have a notable impact on Thailand's economy. Most apparent is the impact on the tourism industry with several countries advising their nationals not to fly into the country; Tuesday's invasion and closure of the new international airport saw 3,000 - 4,000 travelers stranded in terminal buildings. Normally handling around 75 flights an hour, Suvarnabhumi airport's closure is estimated to be costing the agriculture sector of the country's economy 3 billion baht (US$85 million) per day. As a major segment of the economy, the export by air of fresh fruit and vegetables is among Thailand's better known products.

Among the would-be travelers, the nearly 5,000 Thai Muslims who planned to make the annual Hajj pilgrimage are most distressed. Pridi Chueaphudee, an advisor to the leader of the country's Islamic community, has appealed for the PAD to permit pilgrims to fly out of the new international airport. According to the Bangkok Post there is concern that the blockade may send a message of religious intolerance to Saudi Arabia. Thai Airways have managed to arrange one chartered flight from Hat Yai International Airport to Jeddah, although this will only accommodate 250 of those seeking to attend the Hajj.

Meanwhile, the beleaguered Prime Minister Somchai remains in his home town of Chiang Mai in the north of the country. He was forced to divert there when returning from an APEC summit in Peru, and has set no date for his return to the capital. With concern that a coup may be in the offing, cabinet business is being conducted via video conferences with other senior government officials who are in Bangkok. He has dismissed calls from the military for the current government to be dissolved and fresh elections held.

With police apparently determined to avoid a repeat of the October 7 clashes that left two dead and around 500 injured, it may be the involvement of government supporters that tips the current crisis into violent confrontation. The pro-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has called for their supporters to disperse PAD occupation of the airports should the government fail to act.


Tausende Touristen sitzen in Bangkok fest

Bangkok (Thailand), 30.11.2008 – Über die Flughäfen der thailändischen Hauptstadt Bangkok ist der Ausnahmezustand verhängt worden. Tausende Touristen wurden in Militärstützpunkten untergebracht, weil Regierungsgegner der „People's Alliance for Democracy“ (Volksallianz für Demokratie, PAD), einer außerparlamentarischen Sammlungsbewegung, die beiden Flughäfen besetzt haben und angedroht haben, zum Selbstschutz menschliche Schutzschilde zu benützen. Einen Gerichtsbeschluss vom Mittwoch, in dem die Räumung des Flughafens gefordert wurde, ist von den Demonstranten bisher ignoriert worden. In der thailändischen Hauptstadt kursieren Gerüchte über einen angeblich bevorstehenden Militärputsch gegen die Regierung des Landes. Die Militärführung hatte am Donnerstag erklärt, sie plane keinen solchen Schritt.

In einer Fernsehansprache am Freitag sagte der thailändische Ministerpräsident Somchai Wongsawat, die Regierung werde friedliche Mittel einsetzen, um den Flughafen wieder in Betrieb nehmen zu können. Laut Berichten von Medienvertretern verstärkt die Polizei ihre Präsenz um die beiden belagerten Flughäfen. Auf der Hauptzufahrtsstraße zum Flughafen Suvarnabhumi wurden Straßenblockaden errichtet. Am Donnerstag hatte Somchai auch die Anwendung von gewaltsamen Methoden zur Räumung des Flughafens nicht ausgeschlossen. Die zögerliche Haltung der Regierung wird von Beobachtern als Hinweis darauf gedeutet, dass die Regierung nicht die volle Unterstützung von Polizei und Militär besitzt. Eine solche Interpretation wird durch die Tatsache gestützt, dass der nationale Polizeichef, Pacharawat Wongsuwan, am Freitag vom Ministerpräsidenten abgesetzt wurde.

Nach Angaben der Süddeutschen Zeitung sollen in Bangkok 90.000 Touristen wegen ausgefallener Flüge festsitzen. Die Zeitung beruft sich dabei auf Angaben des thailändischen Tourismusministers Weerasak Kowsurat. Die thailändische Luftfahrtbehörde gab bekannt, dass versucht werde, die Situation zu entspannen, indem Touristen über den Militärflughafen „U-Tapao“ nach und nach ausgeflogen werden. Der Militärflughafen liegt etwa 190 Kilometer südöstlich von Bangkok in der Nähe von Phuket.

Unter anderem strich die deutsche Fluggesellschaft Air Berlin laut eigener Darstellung am Donnerstag mehrere Flüge nach Bangkok, auch die Lufthansa hat einen Hin- und Rückflug mit 600 Passagieren abgesagt. Andere Flüge wurden nach Phuket umgeleitet. Von dort aus können sie auf dem Landweg mit Bussen ins etwa 190 km entfernte Bangkok gelangen.

Unterdessen spitzt sich die Lage aktuell zu, nachdem die Sperren der Militäreinheiten von den Regierungsgegnern durchbrochen werden konnten. Bei der Explosion einer Granate an dem seit Wochen von Regierungsgegnern besetzten Amtssitz von Ministerpräsident Somchoi Wongsawat wurden nach Angaben von Rettungskräften mindestens 46 Menschen verletzt. Sämtliche Reiseveranstalter sind im Moment dabei, sukzessive alle Reisenden über Phuket auszufliegen. Die Militärrevolte ist nun in greifbare Nähe gerückt.

Touristen, die eine Reise nach Thailand in der nächsten Zeit antreten würden, können diese kostenlos stornieren oder auf andere Ziele umbuchen, da das Auswärtige Amt eine Reisewarnung geschaltet hat.


Thai PM Thaksin ousted by coup

Thailand's army general ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a military coup, declaring martial law and revoking the constitution. Army spokesperson Col. Akara Chitroj said army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin would be acting prime minister. An announcement from the military earlier declared a provisional authority loyal to King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Earlier a number of tanks had surrounded the government headquarters in the capital of Thailand, Bangkok. Hundreds of troops had deployed at government installations and major traffic intersections. Swedish television has shown footage of troops with military vehicles setting up checkpoints on roads, as well as soldiers on guard (follow the video links within the article). The footage shows troops wearing yellow ribbons tied to their uniforms, the color of the King.

The Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has declared a state of emergency from New York, where he is currently with the UN. "The prime minister with the approval of the Cabinet declares serious emergency law in Bangkok from now on," Thaksin said on a government-owned TV channel. He has also sacked the current Thai army commander.

There was a scare last week when several army tanks were seen in the streets of Bangkok, but army commanders said they were simply returning from exercises.

The last coup was 15 years ago, back in February 1991; there have been 23 coups (successful or attempted) in the last 74 years in the country.

Thailand has been in political turmoil since the results of April's general elections were annulled, leaving the country without a working legislature. Thaksin had won elections in 2001 and 2005, and was widely expected to win planned elections in November.

According to Sky News, 50 soldiers have been said to be inside Bangkok's Government House.

All international news stations were taken off the network of cable operator UBC. All local stations are now airing a military speech loop stating everything will be over shortly.

The army issued this statement shown on national TV:

"Whereas the political reform commission under the democratic constitutional monarchy, comprising the commanders in chief of the armed forces and the head of the national police, have secured the situation in Bangkok and nearby suburbs without any resistance.

"In the interest of maintaining law and order, a request is therefore made for public cooperation for which our apologies for any inconvenience."


Panzer rollen in Thailand – Militärputsch

Bangkok (Thailand) / New York (Vereinigte Staaten), 19.09.2006 – In Thailand hat es einen Militärputsch gegen Premierminister Thaksin Shinawatra gegeben, während dieser sich im Ausland aufhielt. Der Putsch wurde durch Militärs und Polizei durchgeführt. Die Putschistengruppe, die den Namen „Demokratische Reform unter dem Rat der Monarchie“ trägt, erklärte, dass Thaksin Shinawatra das Land gespalten und die Korruption gefördert habe. Sie sagten, sie seien loyal zu König Bhumibol und würden diesen als Staatschef akzeptieren. Das Ziel des Putsches ist nach Angaben der Putschisten, die Macht wieder in die Hand des Volkes zu legen. Vorerst sei von ihnen aber das Kriegsrecht verhängt worden.

Am Nachmittag waren laut Angaben verschiedener Nachrichtenagenturen mehr als zehn Panzer in der thailändischen Hauptstadt Bangkok auf den Straßen unterwegs. Die Putschisten hatten unter anderem die Straßen zu dem Regierungssitz des Premierministers abgesperrt und das Gebäude besetzt.

Der Premierminister von Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, hat von New York aus den Ausnahmezustand für die Hauptstadt ausgerufen und die Entlassung des Armeechefs Sonthi Boonyaratkalin angekündigt. Dieser dementierte erst vor wenigen Tagen Gerüchte, wonach es bald zu einem Putschversuch kommen solle. Die Soldaten, die den Regierungssitz besetzt haben, sollen ihm freundlich gestimmt sein. Der Premierminister selbst nimmt derzeit an der UN-Vollversammlung teil. Er bat in einer Fernsehansprache das Militär, nichts Illegales zu unternehmen, und übertrug die Kontrolle auf General Ruengroj Mahakalanon. Die Armeeführer wies er darauf hin an, die Anweisungen von Ministerpräsident Chidchai Vanasatidya zu befolgen. Die Übertragung im thailändischen Staatsfernsehen wurde mittendrin unterbrochen.

Die Soldaten, die das Regierungsgebäude umstellt haben, sollen die Polizisten aufgefordert haben, ihre Waffen niederzulegen. Das Militär selbst kündigte eine Erklärung für die kommende Nacht an.

Unterdessen haben Putschisten einen „Rat für Verwaltungsreformen“ zur neuen Regierung Thailands ausgerufen. Polizei und Militär sollen laut dem Stern die Kontrolle über die Hauptstadt erlangt haben. Die Putschisten sollen Armeechefs Sonthi Boonyaratkalin nahestehen und royalistisch eingestellt sein.

Es ist der 20. Putsch in der Geschichte Thailands seit dem Jahr 1932.


Las Fuerzas Armadas derrocan al primer ministro de Tailandia

Un grupo de las Fuerzas Armadas de Tailandia afirmó este martes (19) haber derrocado al primer ministro Thaksin Shinawatra, quien se encuentra asistiendo a la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas en Nueva York.

El canal 5 de televisión, estatal y asignado al Ejército, interrumpió sus transmisiones habituales para emitir imágenes de la Familia Real Tailandesa y música. Luego, apareció la facción insurrecta emitiendo un comunicado, en el que revoca la Constitución y proclama la creación de un Consejo Administrativo para la Reforma, amén de reafirmar su lealtad al rey Rama IX, cuyo posible papel en el golpe, si lo tiene pues no suele intervenir en política, se desconoce. Los demás canales estatales suspendieron sus emisiones y los canales de noticias extranjeros fueron sacados de las señales de las compañías de cable.

El coronel Akara Chitroj, vocero del Ejército, indicó que Sonthi Boonyaratglin, comandante del Ejército, sustituiría de forma interina a Shinawatra y acusó al primer ministro de corrupción, intromisiones constantes con los poderes legislativo y judicial y de ofender a la majestad del rey con sus acciones. Los insurrectos también declararon día de descanso el miércoles (20) "para la Administración, los bancos, la Bolsa de Valores, con el propósito de restablecer pronto el orden y la ley".

Mientras tanto, una decena de tanques rodeó la sede de Gobierno en Bangkok para luego tomársela. Ante esto, militares leales a Shinawatra han tomado posiciones en edificios aledaños a la sede de gobierno y en otros edificios gubernamentales. El primer ministro ha declarado el estado de emergencia desde Nueva York y ha cancelado su discurso ante la Asamblea General de la ONU.

Al parecer, la insurrección ocurre tras una crisis política que se agudizó luego de las elecciones de abril pasado, saboteadas por la oposición y en la cual un tercio de los electores votó en blanco, lo que generó la anulación de las mismas. Tres miembros de la Comisión Electoral fueron encarcelados por apoyar de forma fraudulenta al partido del primer ministro. También se especula que el nombramiento de un compañero de promoción de Shinawatra, quien fue policía, como comandante de la capital es una de las causas del derrocamiento.

En Tailandia ha habido 23 golpes de estado en los últimos 74 años.

Thailand Coup d'état 2006, declaración del vocero del Ejército tailandés, coronel Akara Chitroj (en tailandés)


Les militaires thaïlandais s'emparent du pouvoir

Publié le 19 septembre 2006   Selon plusieurs sources, l'armée thaïlandaise aurait pris le contrôle du pays et renversé le Premier ministre Thaksin Shinawatra, actuellement à l'assemblée générale des Nations unies à New York. Ce dernier a évincé le général Sonthis et décrété l'état d'urgence dans le pays.

La loi martiale a été décrétée par les putschistes qui se sont emparés de six stations de télévision ainsi que des stations de radio. Les militaires affirment avoir agi pour stopper la corruption et organiser de nouvelles élections démocratiques. Le Premier ministre, qui avait gagné des élections anticipées dernièrement, avait été accusé de fraudes électorales.

L'opposition démocratique est réservée sur le coup d'État et souhaite que le roi Rama IX nomme un Premier ministre jusqu'aux nouvelles élections. Le quai d'Orsay a conseillé à ses ressortissants de rester à leur domicile

Mise à jour

Plus d'informations (en anglais) sont disponibles à cette adresse : http://reddit.com/info/j30d/comments/cj38o


Colpo di stato in Thailandia

I militari fedeli al re Bhumibol Adulyadeji, approfittando dell'assenza del capo del Governo Thaksin Shinawatra, a New York per una riunione delle Nazioni Unite, hanno preso il potere in Thailandia. Il comandante del commando che ha preso il palazzo del Governo dichiara di aver agito per rovesciare un governo corrotto che sta spaccando il Paese, e che lascerà il potere una volta raggiunto l'obiettivo. Con un annuncio letto dalla tv thailandese, re Bhumibol Adulyadej (molto amato dal suo popolo) ha espresso il suo appoggio politico per la giunta militare. «Per stabilire la pace nel Paese, il re investe il generale Sondhi Boonyaratkalin come capo del Consiglio per le riforme amministrative», afferma il comunicato reale. «Tutte le persone devono restare in pace e i funzionari pubblici d’ora in poi dovranno seguire gli ordini del generale Boonyaratkalin».


タイ王国で陸軍によるクーデター勃発、首都制圧

CNNの報道によるとタイで19日夜 (UTC+7)、陸軍によるクーデターが勃発した。共同通信によれば、クーデター派が首都バンコクを制圧した。バンコクの官庁街は完全封鎖された。バンコクの官庁の建物付近に戦車が集結している。

朝日新聞によればクーデターを起こしたのは、ソンティ・ブーンヤラッガリン陸軍司令官が主導する「民主改革評議会 (直訳は、国王を君主とする民主主義政治体制改革グループ、原語: คณะปฏิรูปการปกครองในระบอบประชาธิปไตยอันมีพระมหากษัตริย์ทรงเป็นประมุข) 」。タクシン・チナワット首相は国際連合総会に出席するためニューヨークに滞在していたが、テレビで非常事態を宣言し、ソンティ司令官を解任した。アメリカ合衆国を離れる予定と伝えられる。

読売新聞によれば、この民主改革評議会は20日、テレビで全権を掌握したと発表し、首相の非常事態宣言を無効とした。読売新聞によれば、憲法、憲法裁判所を停止し、内閣、上下両院の解散を発表。朝日新聞に拠れば全土に戒厳令を布告した。共同通信によれば、ソンティ司令官を暫定首相とした。

評議会では評議会の長にラーマ9世プーミポン・アドゥンラヤデート国王を置いており、幹部が国王に会い、状況を報告した。また、なるべく早く主権を国民に返すとしている。

朝日新聞によれば、評議会は20日を休日とした。バンコク市内は平穏だという。

ソンティ司令官はイスラム教徒。仏教国として知られるタイにおいてはじめてイスラム教徒として陸軍司令官となったことで注目された。

一方で、タイの政府関係者の国外逃亡も起こっている。英字新聞ネーション紙によればタクシン首相の妻であるポッチャマーンは19日夜にシンガポールへ逃亡。与党タイ愛国党の副総裁であるスダラック・ケーユラパン氏はフランス・パリへ逃亡。国防省長官のタンマラック・イッサラーンクーン＝ナ・アユッタヤー氏は19日にクーデター・グループによって拘束されたが、その後逃亡して、地方へ潜伏していると見られる。

シンガポールでIMFの会議に出席していたタイ国立銀行総裁のモームラーチャウォン＝プリーディヤートーン・テーワクン (ม.ร.ว.ปรีดิยาธร เทวกุล) が新たな首相に指名され受け入れた、と発表している。バンコクには20日午後到着の予定。

プリーディヤートーン・テーワクンはラーマ4世の息子テーワウォンワローパカーン親王（テーワンウタイウォン親王）の子孫。

バンコク週報によれば、ラチャパット大学スワンドゥシット校の行った世論調査では、クーデター支持が約84%だった。一方、同紙記者がバンコク市民に行った聞き取りでは、支持者は少なかった。


Stan wyjątkowy w Tajlandii

Premier Tajlandii Thaksin Shinawatra wprowadził w kraju stan nadzwyczajny. Jak donosi agencja Reuters, przed budynki rządowe w Bangkoku, stolicy Tajlandii, wyjechało kilkanaście opancerzonych pojazdów. Stacja telewizyjna należąca do wojska przerwała regularny program i zaczęła nadawać zdjęcia rodziny królewskiej oraz pieśni kojarzone z wojskowymi przewrotami.

Wg najnowszych informacji przywódcy puczu wojskowego zawiesili funkcjonowanie kostytucji i parlamentu, wprowadzili stan wojenny na terenie całego kraju oraz zdymisjonowali premiera Tajlandii Thaksina Shiwanatra. Buntownicy dowodzeni przez generała Sonthi Boonyaratglina utworzyli „Radę reform politycznych” i zadeklarowali swoją lojalność wobec króla.

Wszystkie stacje telewizyjne nadają przemówienie generała  Boonyaratglina, dostęp do zagranicznych stacji telewizyjnych, w tym CNN i BBC, został odcięty.


Thai Prime Minister dissolves parliament and calls elections

Earlier today, Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra formally dissolved the country's parliament and called for new elections.  The new elections are scheduled to take place on February 2 of next year.  According to CNN, it is unclear if Shinawatra will be her party's choice to as a candidate in  the elections.

Yesterday, the 150 member strong Democrat Party, the country's main opposition party, said they would resign en masse because they were unable to work with the current government.

Earlier today, a protest with estimated 100,000 to 150,000 people participating promised to storm Government House of Thailand where Shinawatra's office is located. The protest included all members of the parliament's opposition parties. Democrat Party Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva told CNN, "I think the best way for the Prime Minister to show responsibility is by returning power to the people".  He, other opposition leaders, and demonstrators want an unelected "people's council."

The country has had several weeks of protests leading up to Shinawatra's decision.  Five people died in one protest on November 30.  Demonstrators have connected Shinawatra with her brother and former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.  Thaskin currently lives abroad and has not returned home because of a corruption conviction that could result in a two-year prison sentence. Shinawatra's party had tried and failed to pass legislation granting amnesty to Thaksin.


Primer Ministro de Tailandia disuelve el parlamento y convoca a elecciones

La Primer Ministro de Tailandia, Yingluck Shinawatra anunció la disolución del parlamento y convocó a elecciones en 60 días, debido a las protestas que azotan el país y que hoy generaron la renuncia de los diputados del partido opositor.

El partido opositor afirmó a la agencia AP que no podían seguir en su puesto pues el pueblo no reconocía al actual gobierno. Los manifestantes exigen la dimisión de la Primera Ministra.

Tailandia se encuentra sumida en una crisis política desde el 2006 cuando un golpe de Estado perpetrado por militares derrocó al entonces Primer Ministro de ese país, el cual es hermano de Shinawatra y a quien la oposición acusa de haber creado un sistema de beneficio a los políticos de su partido, corrupción y abuso de poder.

Los manifestantes han calificado de "títere" a la Primera Ministra y exigen su renuncia y que un grupo de personas no electo por el gobierno sea quien lleve las riendas del país.


La Première ministre thaïlandaise dissout le parlement et convoque des élections

Hier, la Première ministre thaïlandaise Yingluck Shinawatra a dissout l'Assemblée nationale et a convoqué de nouvelles élections. Ces nouvelles élections devraient avoir lieu le 2 février de l'année prochaine. Selon CNN, il n'est pas sûr que Y. Shinawatra soit la candidate de son parti pour les élections.

Dimanche, les 150 élus du Parti démocrate, le principal parti d'opposition, annoncent leur intention de démissionner massivement car ils s'estiment incapables de travailler avec le gouvernement actuel.

Hier, se sont entre 100 000 et 150 000 personnes ont promis de prendre d'assaut la maison du Gouvernement, où travaille la Première ministre Shinawatra. Tous les membres d'opposition du parlement ont pris part à cette manifestation. Le dirigeant du Parti démocrate et ainsi Premier ministre, Abhisit Vejjajiva, déclarait à CNN « je pense que la meilleure façon pour le Premier ministre de se montrer responsable est de rendre le pouvoir au peuple ». Vejjajiva, les autres dirigeants de l'opposition et les manifestants réclament un « conseil du peuple », qui ne serait pas élu.

Le pays a connu plusieurs semaines de manifestations avant que Yingluck Shinawatra ne prenne cette décision. Cinq personnes sont mortes dans une manifestation le 30 novembre. Les manifestants assimile Shinawatra à son frère et ainsi Premier ministre thaïlandais, Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaskin vit actuellement à l'étranger et ne peut pas rentrer dans son pays où des accusations de corruption lui font encourir deux ans de prison. Son parti a tenté, en vain, de faire passer une loi d'amnistie visant Thaksin, ce qui déclencha les manifestations que connait actuellement le pays.


Thai Rak Thai dissolved, ex-premier Thaksin banned from politics

Thailand's former ruling party, Thai Rak Thai, was found guilty of election fraud by a Constitutional Tribunal, and ordered to be dissolved. Its former leader, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and 110 party leaders are banned from politics for five years, the court also ruled.

Thaksin, responding to the ruling from London, told the BBC: "We have to respect the rules of the game. That is, the rule of the law. If the rules of the law are observed, we have to respect it."

But Thaksin's lawyer and spokesman in Bangkok, Noppadon Pattama, called the verdict "unexpected", and told Reuters, "It's too harsh on Thai Rak Thai."

Earlier, the nation's main opposition party, the Democrat Party, was acquitted of six charges of election fraud, and allowed to remain intact.

The tribunal was reviewing violations that took place during the April 2, 2006 general elections, which were declared invalid due to widespread charges of corruption and vote buying. Another election was scheduled for October 2006, but after a military-led coup on September 19, that election was never held.

Thai Rak Thai (literally "Thais love Thais"), was formerly headed by Thaksin, a telecommunications tycoon and ex-prime minister who was ousted in last year's coup.

The tribunal said two party leaders, former deputy leader Thamarak Isarangura and former deputy secretary-general Pongsak Ruktapongpisal, hired two smaller parties to contest the April election on behalf of Thai Rak Thai. The two were Cabinet members at the time. The Tribunal also dissolved the two implicated smaller parties, Pattana Chart Thai and Pandin Thai, and banned their executives from politics for five years.

Thai Rak Thai lawyers countered that the party's top leadership could not have known about Thamarak and Pongsak's plans, but the judges dismissed that assertion.

"The Thai Rak Thai party did not respect the rule of law despite the fact that they won elections twice," said one of the judges in his ruling. "Thai Rak Thai cannot exist as a political party, therefore the court orders to dissolve the Thai Rak Thai party."

Thai Rak Thai acting leader Chaturon Chaisang said that the ban was "totally unexpected", but he urged supporters to not fight the decision. "Even if we don't agree with the ruling, I ask all Thai Rak Thai members not to protest or oppose the ruling," he said.

The final verdict was read at 11:36 p.m. local time (1636 GMT), and came after a long, suspenseful afternoon and evening of proceedings that began at 2 p.m. The proceedings were broadcast on all of Thailand's television channels, and local newspapers updated their coverage in real time on their websites.

In the run-up to what was called "Judgement Day" in the local media, tensions were high. Interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont warned that he would impose a state of emergency if there was any violence. Thousands of security officers were stationed at checkpoints across the capital, with a 15,000-strong security force at the ready in their barracks. The junta also ordered that some political websites be blocked. King Bhumibol Adulyadej made a rare televised address when he granted an audience to the court's judges, and urged them to use care in their deliberations.

Some schools were closed out of security concerns, but there were no signs of large protests. Fewer than 200 people gathered quietly behind police barricades across the road from the court, and parties kept their supporters away from the site.

The Democrat Party faced six charges, among them accusations that it had paid off members of two smaller parties, the Progressive Democrat Party and the Better Life Party, to frame Thai Rak Thai of trying to buy their votes. But the Democrats were acquitted on all charges.

"The facts cannot prove that the Democrats did any wrongdoing so there is no reason to dissolve the Democrats," said Thanit Kesawapitak, one of nine tribunal judges.

However, the Progressive Democratic Party was found guilty of rigging its membership records, and ordered dissolved. Furthermore, the party's leaders are banned from politics for five years. The party was found guilty of falsifying its membership records to enable its candidates to run in three constituencies in Trang.

Democrat Party members sitting in the court room appeared to be relieved as they heard the verdict read.

At the Democrats' headquarters, the mood was celebratory. Crowds lined the streets to the offices, and leaders were greeted with cheers and applause and given bouquets of flowers.

"Today's victory is for people and the country," Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva told supporters. "Today is the end of pressure on the party and the people. What I wish from is that the Council of National Security and the government holds the national election as promised and as scheduled," he said.

The Council of National Security, the junta's ruling body, has promised a national referendum on a new constitution, with elections by December.

The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party, founded in 1945, and has mainly been an opposition party. With Chuan Leekpai as prime minister, the Democrats led coalition governments from 1992 to 1995 and again from 1997 to 2001, when Thaksin and Thai Rak Thai were swept to power on a tide of populist sentiment. Since being ousted in last year's coup, Thaksin has lived in self-imposed exile outside Thailand, mainly in London.

Now, with Thai Rak Thai removed from the scene, the Democrats are likely to return to power if the promised elections are held, said Michael Montesano, who teaches Thai politics at the National University of Singapore.


Thailands größte Partei wird per Gerichtsbeschluss aufgelöst

Bangkok (Thailand), 01.06.2007 – Die Partei des durch einen Putsch im September 2006 von der Macht verdrängten ehemaligen Ministerpräsidenten Thaksin Shinawatra, Thai Rak Thai (TRT), wurde am Mittwoch durch einen Beschluss des Verfassungsgerichts des Wahlbetrugs für schuldig befunden und zur Auflösung verurteilt. Den führenden Funktionären der Partei, einschließlich des ehemaligen Vorsitzenden und Gründers Thaksin, wurde ein politisches Betätigungsverbot für einen Zeitraum von fünf Jahren auferlegt.

Das Gericht sah es als erwiesen an, dass die TRT bei den Parlamentswahlen vom April 2006 kleinere Parteien durch Bestechung dazu gebracht hatte, sich an der Wahl zu beteiligen, die von der Opposition boykottiert worden war. Der Coup misslang damals jedoch. Es gelang der TRT nicht, die von der Verfassung vorgeschriebene Anzahl von Parlamentssitzen zu besetzen. 40 Sitze im Parlament waren leer geblieben. Daraufhin hatte das oberste Verwaltungsgericht Thailands die Wahlen für ungültig erklärt.

Die Entscheidung vom Mittwoch ist ein weiterer Höhepunkt in der politischen Krise Thailands, die sich seit etwa zwei Jahren Bahn bricht. Die TRT war die größte politische Partei mit fast 14,5 Millionen Mitgliedern. Nach westlichen Maßstäben würde man sie als populistische Partei bezeichnen. Sie war erst vor neun Jahren gegründet worden. Noch 2005 war es der Partei unter Führung ihres Ministerpräsidenten Thaksin gelungen, einen erdrutschartigen Wahlsieg einzufahren. Die Partei war bisher die einzige, der es gelungen war, eine Ein-Parteien-Regierung zu bilden. Korruptionsvorwürfe gegen den autokratisch regierenden Ministerpräsidenten Thaksin Shinawatra führten jedoch bald zu noch nicht dagewesenen Protestkundgebungen vor allem in den städtischen Regionen, auf denen sein Rücktritt gefordert wurde. Sogar der König schaltete sich kurzfristig in die Debatte ein, indem er die politische Elite aufforderte, einen verfassungsgemäßen Weg aus der politischen Krise des Landes zu finden. Dem wachsenden politischen Zwist, der die thailändische Gesellschaft spaltete, machte das Militär durch einen unblutigen Putsch im September 2006 während eines Auslandsaufenthalts des Ministerpräsidenten ein Ende. Monate vergingen, in denen vor allem Gerichte die Hintergründe der missglückten Parlamentswahlen vom April 2006 aufzuklären versuchten.

Inzwischen steckt die vom Militär eingesetzte zivile Übergangsregierung ebenfalls in der Krise. Die Unzufriedenheit mit der Regierung wächst, geschickt von ehemaligen Thaksin-Anhängern genutzt. Aber auch die demokratische Opposition gegen den Abbau demokratischer Mitwirkungsrechte nimmt zu.

Die größte Oppositionspartei, die Demokraten, ging aus der gerichtlichen Auseinandersetzung unbeschadet hervor, obwohl auch dieser Partei Vorwürfe in Zusammenhang mit der Parlamentswahl vom April 2006 gemacht worden waren. Der Partei war angelastet worden, der Kritik an Thaksin in der Öffentlichkeit durch Falschaussagen und Bestechung nachgeholfen haben. Die Chancen des Vorsitzenden der Demokratischen Partei Thailands, die es seit 61 Jahren gibt, Abhisit Vejjajiva, scheinen erneut zu wachsen, der nächste frei gewählte Ministerpräsident des Landes zu werden. Neuwahlen sind für Dezember des Jahres anvisiert.


Thai snap-election set for April 2, 2006

In the face of mounting pressure and a hostile political climate in urban areas, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has announced the dissolution of the lower house, the House of Representatives of the country's parliament.

The move follows an audience earlier today with the King at the Dusit Palace and is despite defiant statements yesterday that the PM would neither step down nor dissolve parliament.  An increasing number of voices have questioned Thaksin's suitability to hold the office of Prime Minister, with a petition to the Constitutional Court and a student-led petition for his impeachment contributing to the political uncertainty.

The Prime Minister announced the decision in a live TV broadcast, offering to "accept and respect the public's decision" in the forthcoming election.  Following discussions with the Election Commission of Thailand, he stated that the election – required to be held within 60 days – would be on April 2.  This should lead to the Lower House reconvening on May 2. Election of a Prime Minister and appointment of Cabinet ministers would be the first item of business.

Protestors who are planning a mass demonstration at Sanam Luang in Bangkok this Sunday are undeterred by the move.  According to Suriyasai Katasila they will protest anyway, aiming for resignation "because Prime Minister Thaksin is the centre of the problem".


"ทักษิณ" ล้มกระดานประกาศยุบสภา เลือกตั้ง 2 เมษายน

25 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2549

หลังจากความวุ่นวายทางการเมืองที่ดำเนินมานานหลายเดือน อีกทั้งใกล้วันที่จะมีการชุมนุมของกลุ่มพันธมิตรประชาชนเพื่อประชาธิปไตยในวันที่ 26 กุมภาพันธ์ ในที่สุด พ.ต.ท.ทักษิณ ชินวัตร นายกรัฐมนตรี ตัดสินใจยุบสภาและแถลงเหตุผลผ่านโทรทัศน์รวมการเฉพาะกิจแห่งประเทศไทยเมื่อคืนวันที่ 24 กุมภาพันธ์ โดยระบุว่า มีความขัดแย้งในสังคมที่อาจทำให้เกิดการจลาจล จึงขอคืนอำนาจให้ประชาชนเลือกตั้งใหม่ในวันที่ 2 เมษายนนี้

ระหว่างไปร่วมงานสหกรณ์เข้มแข็งร่วมแรงขจัดความยากจน พ.ต.ท.ทักษิณได้ส่งสัญญาณบางอย่างในการกล่าวบนเวทีซึ่งทำให้เชื่อว่ากำลังจะมีการยุบสภา จากนั้นเมื่อเวลา 16.45 น. ของวันที่ 24 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ต.ท.ทักษิณ ชินวัตร และนายบวรศักดิ์ อุวรรณโณ เลขาธิการคณะรัฐมนตรี เดินทางไปเข้าเฝ้าทูลละอองธุลีพระบาท พระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัวที่พระตำหนักจิตรลดารโหฐาน โดยนายเสริมศักดิ์ พงษ์พาณิชย์ รัฐมนตรีช่วยว่าการกระทรวงมหาดไทย กล่าวว่า ในการเข้าเฝ้าฯ พระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว พ.ต.ท.ทักษิณได้ทูลเกล้าฯ เสนอทางเลือกให้พระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว พิจารณา 2 แนวทาง คือ การปรับคณะรัฐมนตรีและยุบสภา ซึ่งพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว ทรงโปรดให้ยุบสภา

ก่อนหน้านี้ พ.ต.ท.ทักษิณ ได้เข้าพบ พล.อ.เปรม ติณสูลานนท์ ประธานองคมนตรี เมื่อวันที่ 23 กุมภาพันธ์ เพื่อหารือและขอคำปรึกษาเกี่ยวกับสถานการณ์บ้านเมือง พ.ต.ท.ทักษิณเสนอที่จะปรับ ครม.เพื่อลดกระแสความขัดแย้ง แต่ พล.อ.เปรมแนะนำว่าควรยุบสภาดีกว่า

พระราชกฤษฎีกายุบสภาผู้แทนราษฎร พ.ศ. 2549 ระบุว่า "ได้เกิดการชุมนุมสาธารณะตั้งข้อเรียกร้องในทางการเมืองขึ้น ซึ่งแม้ระยะแรกจะอยู่ในกรอบของกฎหมาย แต่เมื่อนานวันเข้า การชุมนุมเรียกร้องได้ขยายตัวไปในทางที่กว้างขวางและอาจรุนแรงขึ้น รวมทั้งส่อเค้าว่า จะมีการเผชิญหน้า จนอาจปะทะกับฝ่ายที่ไม่เห็นด้วยและอาจมีการสอดแทรก ฉวยโอกาสจากผู้ที่ประสงค์จะเห็นความไม่สงบเรียบร้อยในบ้านเมือง จุดชนวนให้เกิดความรู้สึกที่เป็นปฏิปักษ์ต่อกัน จนลุกลามถึงขั้นก่อการจลาจลวุ่นวาย สร้างความเสียหายต่อชีวิตและทรัพย์สินได้ ครั้นจะใช้อำนาจเจ้าหน้าที่ฝ่ายบ้านเมืองเข้าควบคุมดูแลอย่างเข้มงวด หรือแม้แต่รัฐบาลได้พยายามดำเนินการตามวิถีทางรัฐธรรมนูญ ด้วยการขอเปิดอภิปรายทั่วไปโดยไม่มีการลงมติในที่ประชุมรัฐสภาแล้ว ก็ยังไม่อาจแก้ไขปัญหาและความคิดเห็นพื้นฐานที่แตกต่างกัน ทั้งระหว่างกลุ่มผู้ชุมนุมเรียกร้องกับรัฐบาล และระหว่างกลุ่มผู้ชุมนุมเรียกร้องกับกลุ่มอื่นๆ ที่ไม่เห็นด้วย และประสงค์จะเคลื่อนไหวบ้าง จนอาจเกิดการปะทะกันได้ สภาพเช่นว่านี้ ย่อมไม่เป็นผลดีต่อเศรษฐกิจของประเทศ การเมืองการปกครองในระบอบประชาธิปไตยภายใต้ระบบรัฐสภา และความสงบเรียบร้อยของสังคม โดยเฉพาะในขณะนี้ ซึ่งควรจะสร้างความสามัคคีปรองดอง การดูแลรักษาสภาพของบ้านเมืองที่สงบร่มเย็นน่าอยู่อาศัย น่าลงทุน และการเผยแพร่ความวิจิตรอลังการ ตลอดจนความดีงามตามแบบฉบับของไทยให้เป็นที่ประจักษ์ เมื่อปัญหาที่เกิดขึ้น เป็นความคิดเห็นในสังคมที่หลากหลาย และยังคงแตกต่างกันจนกลายเป็นคามขัดแย้งทางการเมืองที่รุนแรงเช่นนี้ ครั้นจะดำเนินการเพื่อตรวจสอบความประสงค์อันแท้จริงของประชาชน โดยประการอื่น เพื่อให้ทุกฝ่ายหยั่งทราบ แล้วยอมรับให้เป็นไปตามกลไกในระบอบประชาธิปไตยก็ทำได้ยาก ทางออกในระบอบประชาธิปไตยที่เคยปฏิบัติมาในนานาประเทศ และแม้แต่ในประเทศไทย คือการคืนอำนาจการตัดสินใจทางการเมือง กลับไปสู่ประชาชนด้วยการยุบสภาผู้แทนราษฎร เพื่อจัดให้มีการเลือกตั้งสมาชิกสภาผู้แทนราษฎรทั่วไปขึ้นใหม่ตามบทบัญญัติของรัฐธรรมนูญแห่งราชอาณาจักรไทยต่อไป"


Thai-Cambodian generals in talks after border clash kills two

Today saw high-level talks between Thai and Cambodian military leaders following a border skirmish yesterday which left two Cambodian soldiers dead, injuries on both sides, and ten Thai troops captured. Several hours of talks have led to an agreement for joint military patrols along the disputed border.

Wednesday's exchange of fire in the disputed border region surrounding Preah Vihear Temple is the latest in a dispute over an area of scrubland which both Cambodia and Thailand claim. While each side claims the other initiated the clash, government officials in both capitals have sought to downplay the seriousness of the incident and stress that a negotiated settlement is the only reasonable solution. The disputed territory is a little under five square kilometres and was, in 1962, awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice. The decision caused resentment in Thailand which continues to this day.

Downplaying the incident, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong spoke of the negotiations in positive terms, stressing the skirmish was, "an incident between soldiers and not an invasion by Thailand". Thai Prime Minister, Somchai Wongsawat stressed the need for the dispute over territory to be resolved peacefully.

According to officials, apart from the two Cambodian soldiers who died in the skirmish, an additional two Khmer troops and five Thais were injured. Thailand has denied the claim by Cambodia that ten soldiers were captured in the disputed territory. On the other side of the border, Cambodian officials have said the captives will be returned upon request.

The dispute over the contested territory flared up in June; UNESCO awarded the Hindu Preah Vihear Temple the status of World Heritage Site as a Cambodian property, bringing the issue back into the spotlight. The 900-year-old temple sits at the centre of a military build-up on both sides of the border and despite an agreed pull-back in August the situation deteriorated when Cambodia asserted that Thai troops had returned to the entrenched positions that now see around 1,000 soldiers from both sides facing each other. The return of Thai military forces saw the Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen threaten to turn the area into a "death zone".

United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon spoke yesterday on the incident, expressing grave concern over the escalation of the conflict and loss of life. A spokesperson for the Secretary-General said, "He calls on both parties to exercise utmost restraint and urges them to expedite bilateral talks so that their differences can be resolved peacefully". This is not the first time Ban Ki-moon has spoken on the issue; previously calls for restraint have been issued as the military build-up in the area has continued.

The ongoing dispute and yesterday's escalation have seen moves to take civilians out of harm's way. The government in Bangkok urged Thai citizens in Cambodia to leave the country if they were not there on urgent business. Over 400 returned on a Thai Airways flight following the call to evacuate Thai nationals. With a 2003 dispute and unrest having seen Thailand's embassy in Phnom Penh torched, Cambodian authorities deployed riot police around the building yesterday in case the dispute led to violence. In the disputed region, thousands of Cambodians have left due to the build-up of forces on both sides of the border and increased tensions.

The current flare-up along the border is the second incident this month; on October 3 there was a clash where Thailand claims Cambodian forces crossed the border and fired on Thai rangers causing two injuries. That incident saw both sides exchange protest letters. Thailand claimed that rangers patrolling on their side of the border encountered Cambodian troops and demanded they return across the border. The alleged response was apparently orders from superiors for the Cambodians to begin firing. The strongly-worded complaint stated, "the above-mentioned intrusion of the Cambodian soldiers into Thailand's territory is a serious violation of Thailand's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Furthermore, the shooting by the Cambodian troops against the unarmed Thai para-military rangers is regarded as a brutal and aggressive act and is contrary to the spirit of friendly relations between Cambodia and Thailand."


Konflikt graniczny pomiędzy Tajlandią a Kambodżą

Tajlandia i Kambodża porozumiały się w sprawie organizacji wspólnych patroli wojskowych na spornym odcinku granicy w rejonie świątyni Preah Vihear, do której roszczenia składają obie strony.

W środę (15 października 2008) w starciu, do którego doszło w rejonie  Preah Vihear, zginęło 2 kambodżańskich żołnierzy. Natomiast kilku rannych żołnierzy to bilans po stronie wojsk tajlandzkich. Ponadto ponoć 12 żołnierzy dostało się do niewoli kambodżańskiej.
Informację o trwającej 10 minut wymianie ognia potwierdził dowodzący kambodżańskimi wojskami generał brygady Bun Thean.

W czwartek (16 października) nieoczekiwanie doszło do spotkania dowódców pogranicznych okręgów wojskowych obu państw. Obie strony jednak nie zgodziły się na wycofanie wojsk z rejonu świątyni.


Thailand begins repatriation of Hmong migrants to Laos

The Thai government rejected accusations by the international community that thousands of Lao Hmong refugees were being forcibly sent back to Laos. The Thai military carried out the deportation under tight security.

The deportation of 4,000 Hmong to Laos began in the early hours of Monday with convoys of military trucks and buses ferrying people to the border.

Human rights groups fear the Hmong, who have been held at the Huay Nam Khao refugee camp in Phetchabun Province, will be persecuted once they return to Laos.

The U.S. government called for a suspension of the operation, saying Thailand has violated international humanitarian principles by forcibly returning the Hmong. The United States recruited the Hmong back during the Vietnam War to help the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency in their "Secret War" in Laos.

"We deeply regret this serious violation of the international humanitarian principles that Thailand has long been known for championing," said State Department spokesman, Ian C. Kelly.

Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn denied this accusation. Wattanayagorn said Lao authorities promised to grant amnesty to those returning.

"No, no, not forcefully - they volunteer to go back at least in the morning of today," he said. "Many of them are on the way back and those who are they have told the officers' in charge they have told us that they are volunteer[ing] to go."

He said under Thai law the Hmong are illegal immigrants and they have been treated according to law.

"We do this in good faith. ... We have to follow the compliance with human rights standards and we have to make sure these people will be repatriated back in safe and sound condition," he said.

But the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said several in the camp would have qualified as refugees. Thailand never allowed the UNHCR or any other groups to assess the status of the Hmong in the camp.

The Human Rights Watch representative in Thailand, Sunai Pasuk, called the repatriation a "serious breach in international standards."

Pasuk added, "Such coercive, intimidating and brutal measures are clearly the opposite of the concept of 'voluntary repatriation'. As a result of what Thailand has done to the Lao Hmong today, Prime Minister Abhisit sinks Thailand’s record on contempt for human rights and international law to a new low."


தாய்லாந்து 4,000 மொங் இன அகதிகளை லாவோசிற்குத் திருப்பி அனுப்ப ஆரம்பித்தது

கிட்டத்தட்ட 4,000 மொங் இன அகதிகளை சர்வதேச நாடுகளின் வேண்டுகோள்களையும் பொருட்படுத்தாது தாய்லாந்து தனது நாட்டில் இருந்து லாவோசிற்கு திருப்பி அனுப்ப ஆரம்பித்தது.

வடக்கு பெட்சாபுன் மாகாணத்தில் இருந்த மொங் மக்கள் அகதி முகாமைத் தாம் மூஉடி விட்டதாக தாய் அதிகாரிகள் தெரிவித்தனர்.

இவர்கள் அனைவரும் பொருளாதார அகதிகள் என அவர்களை தாய்லாந்து வர்ணித்திருக்கிறது. வியட்நாம் போரின் போது தாம் அமெரிக்கப் படைகளுக்கு ஆதரவு தந்தமையால் லாவோசில் தாம் துன்புறுத்தல்களுக்கு ஆளாவோம் என மொங் மக்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றனர்.

தாய்லாந்து இந்நடவடிக்கையை உடனடியாக நிறுத்த வேண்டும் என அமெரிக்கா, மற்றும் ஐக்கிய நாடுகள் கேட்டுக் கொண்டுள்ளன.

"அகதிகளை வெளியேற்றும் நடவடிக்கை இன்று அதிகாலை 0530 மணிக்கு ஆரம்பித்தது" என தாய்லாந்தின் இராணுவ அதிகாரி தனா சாருவட் தெரிவித்தார். இந்நடவடிக்கையில் கிட்டத்தட்ட 5,000 இராணுவத்தினர் பங்கு பற்றினர். "ஒரே நாளில் அனைவரும் வெளியேற்றப்பட்டு விடுவார்கள்" என அவர் தெரிவித்தார்.

அகதிகள் எவரும் இந்நடவடிக்கைக்கு எதிர்ப்புத் தெரிவிக்கவில்லை என தாய் பிரதமர் அபிசித் வெச்சாசிவா தெரிவித்தார்.

ஊடகவியலாளர்களோ அல்லது வேறு எவரோ முகாம்களுக்குள் செல்ல அனுமதிக்கப்படவில்லை.

1975 இல் கம்யூனிச பத்தெட் லாவோ குழு லாவோசைன் ஆட்சியைக் கைப்பற்றியதை அடுத்து பல்லாயிரக்கணக்கானோர் நாட்டை விட்டு வெளியேறியிருந்தனர். இவர்களில் பெரும்பான்மையானோர் மேலை நாடுகளில், குறிப்பாக அமெரிக்கா, ஆஸ்திரேலியா, பிரான்ஸ், பிரெஞ்சு கினி, கனடா போன்ற நாடுகளில் குடியமர்த்தப்பட்டார்கள். மீதமிருந்தோரில் பலர் ஐநாவின் உதவித்திட்டத்துடன் லாவோசிற்குத் திரும்பினார்கள். கிட்டத்தட்ட 8,000 மொங் மக்கள் இன்னமும் அகதிகளாக தாய்லாந்தில் தங்கியிருக்கிறார்கள்.

திங்கள், திசம்பர் 28, 2009


Thailand election was invalid, rules court

Thailand's Constitutional Court has ruled that the general election, held on April 2, 2006, is invalid and orders a fresh poll. Thailand is in the middle of political turmoil since the election, which was called by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in the face of mounting protests.

"The constitutional court voted 8 to 6 that the elections were unconstitutional and voted 9 to 5 to hold a new election," said Judge Ura Wangomklang on Monday.

Earlier, the opposition parties boycotted the April poll. As a result, some of the seats remained empty, which meant parliament could not be formed. Thaksin Shinawatra, the prime minister, was unable to form a new government.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand had to intervene to resolve the crisis. He described the situation as a "mess" and said any parliament with no opposition presence would be undemocratic. He initiated the court to pass a ruling to bring back the country to normalcy.

The crisis began when Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra sold 49.6% family stake in telecoms company Shin Corporation in January. Massive protests were held all over demanding his resignation. He dissolved the parliament in February and called for an emergency election to prove he still had widespread public support. Three main opposition parties decided to boycott the poll.

Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT), led by Thaksin Shinawatra won 57% of the votes in the election held in April amid opposition boycotts. But there were millions of "Reject" votes (That is, voters selecting "None of the above"), which lead to 40 seats being vacant and the Legislature unable to set up a government. Two rounds of by-elections failed to resolve the crisis.

Soon afterwards, under the intervention of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the top judges from Thailand's three main judicial institutions - the Supreme, Administrative and Constitutional courts - met to discuss the situation.

Thailand's ruling Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT) and the former opposition Democrat party pledged on Monday to join the new poll after the court ruling.


泰国宪法法庭裁决4月的议会选举无效 将重新选举

泰国宪法法庭8日做出最终裁决，判定4月2日的国会大选无效，将重新举行选举。今天，泰国最高法院、最高行政法院、宪法法院又联合建议中央选举委员会辞职，为司法机构监管新的大选、确保选举自由和公正铺平道路。

在泰国国王普密蓬的要求下，国会督察官提出选举规定时间过快，投票不保密等指控，于本月1日向宪法法院递交了大选涉嫌违反宪法的诉讼。宪法法院14位法官以8票赞成、6票反对，裁决本届选举违宪；并以9票对5票，裁决须在60日内重新举行大选。

暂理执政的爱泰党表示服从法院裁决，并扬言准备参加大选。反对党的民主党、泰国党和大众党则对裁决表示欢迎，并宣布“不再抵制”选举而将参加新一轮大选。《南洋商报》发表社论指出，反对党若食言而再次抵制新选举，将逾越最低界限，最终将导致他信势力或军方的全面反击，这才是泰国政治的真正危机。

此外，《光华日报》报道说，一名跟随塔辛的高官周二透露，没有任何法律障碍可以阻挡塔辛参选即将举行的国会选举，但他却未必能够成为泰国的下一任首相。而政务次长布罗敏勒苏利德也表示：“就我个人而言，我相信塔辛将会参与选举，不过，我认为他不可能再担任首相一职。”

泰国最高法院的发言人说，最高法院以及行政和宪法法院星期二同意将对新的选举进行监督。

【2006年5月9日讯】


Thais head to the polls for snap election

Today sees the snap election for the lower house of Thailand's parliament.  With only one of the parties with seats contesting the election it is seen more as an attempt by current caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to shore up his position in the face of mass protests and accusations of malfeasance.

The snap election was called on February 24 by the beleaguered PM, approximately one year after the previous election where his Thai Rak Thai party took 377 of the 500 seats in the lower house making it the first party to have been able to form a government without entering into a coalition.

With the main opposition parties, Democat Party (Pak Prachatipat), Great People's Party (Phak Mahachon), and Thai Nation Party (Phak Chaat Thai) boycotting the election the results may not carry the legitimacy that Thaksin is seeking.  Along with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the main opposition parties have called upon voters to mark their ballot as an abstention.  With over 150 Changwats (constituencies) having a single Thai Rak Thai candidate on the ballot, some may not reach the required 20% of the eligble votes to be returned.  This would leave the parliament short of its 500 seat requirement and unable to reconvene and ratify the appointment of a Prime Minister.

Allegations of corruption centre on the Prime Minister's family's involvement in the sale of Shin Corp. to Temasek Holdings, described by Wikipedia as the investment arm of the Singapore government.  On January 23, the PM's family sold their 49.6% share in the company tax-free for US$1.88 billion.  Whilst protests and allegations had been made prior to the sale, it was a catalyst that provoked mass rallies in Bangkok demanding the PM's resignation.

With polls opening at 8 a.m. local time (0100 UTC), the BBC reports that voting has been steady and that the PM and his children voted a couple of hours after the polls opened.  Some have used the poll as an opportunity to protest, with one university lecturer arrested for completing his ballot paper in blood.

Polling closed at 3 p.m. local time (0800 UTC) with unofficial results expected later in the day.


Thailand går till nyval

Då de stora oppositionspartierna Demokratiska partiet (Pak Prachatipat), Stora folkets parti (Phak Mahachon) och Thailands nationsparti (Phak Chaat Thai) bojkottar valet kanske inte resultatet får den legitimitet som premiärministern önskar. Tillsammans med People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) har oppositionspartierna uppmanat väljarna att rösta blankt.

Påståenden om korruption är inriktade på premiärministerns familjs inblandning i försäljningen av Shin Corp. till Temasek Holdings som av engelska Wikipedia beskrivs som ett Singaporeägt investmentbolag. Den 23 januari sålde Thaksins familj sina 49,6% av aktierna skattefritt för 1,88 miljarder USA-dollar. Trots protester och anklagelser innan försäljningen blev det en katalysator som förde med sig massdemonstrationer i Bangkok som krävde premiärministerns avgång.

Vallokalerna öppnar kl 08.00 lokal tid och BBC rapporterar att röstningen har varit lugn och att premiärministern och hans barn röstade några timmar efter att lokalerna hade öppnat. Många har använt vallokalerna som ett tillfälle att protestera och en universitetslektor har arresterats för att ha markerat sin röstsedel med blod.

Vallokalerena stänger kl 15 lokal tid (08.00 UTC) och de första inofficiella resultaten väntas senare under dagen.

4 april 2006: Thaksin Shinawatra avgår
3 april 2006: Valet i Thailand en motgång för Thaksin
2 april 2006: Thailand går till nyval
29 mars 2006: Stora demonstrationer inför valet i Thailand
25 mars 2006: Tiotusentals människor samlades mot Thailands premiärminister
16 mars 2006: Thaksin återvände till Bangkok, undviker demonstranter
15 mars 2006: Thaksin Shinawatra överväger att avgå
14 mars 2006: Tiotusentals krävde Shinawatras avgång i Bangkok
6 mars 2006: Stor demonstration mot Thailands premiärminister
27 februari 2006: Nya thailändska protester mot Thaksin

Thaksin Shinawatra

• Thailand
• Demokrati

• Thailand

Händelser 2 april • april • 2006 • kvartal 2 • vecka 13

Publiceringar 2 april • april • 2006 • kvartal 2 • vecka 13


The President of Bolivia resigns

Tuesday, March 8, 2005

South America —
The President of Bolivia Carlos Mesa officially resigned Sunday,  March 6.  Now the President of Senate Hormando Vaca Díez  is the temporary President of the Republic of Bolivia.

Mesa resigned because of the announcement of highways's blockages  by  Evo Morales, both the leader of  the coca growers and the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS).  The blockages serve to pressure the Legislative so the Hydrocarbons Law can be approved. The law aims to raise the taxes levied on hydrocarbon extraction from 18 to 50%.

The MAS is a political party formed basically by  coca-growing campesinos (known as cocaleros),  communists, admirers of Fidel Castro, and indigenous people. The party is against the government of the United States and the alleged  American influency in the region, the neoliberalism and the globalization. Morales in his own words, explain some of the MAS motivations:

Morales is an admirer of Fidel Castro and  he says he is inspired by the presidents of Venezuela Hugo Chavez and Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.  He supports the creation of an anti-imperialist block formed by Latin-American and Arabian countries against the USA, which is being organized by the Brazilian President.

Bolivia economy depends on exportation of hydrocarbon (oil and gas). Other sources  of resources comes from the cultivation of coca.
The coca growers demands the same treatment the government is giving to hydrocarbons. However, the production of coca in great quantities is controversial since the coca is the raw material of cocaine.  Cocaine is considered  illegal  in  Bolivia  and in the majority of other  countries

In October 2003, Morales caused the resignation of the President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada.  After the resignation of Lozada, Mesa, the vice-president, assumed the command of Bolivan government.

Morales said about the resignation of Mesa:"The  only resignation purpose is to blackmail, this resignation is not worth, it basically serves so the October agenda does not occurr (agenda purpose is nationalization of gas production and to proclaim a Constitutional Assembly [Note:where politics propose a new Constitution]).

The blockades of roads  occurred  in two strategical places: at  the city of El Alto, neighboring to the capital, and at El Chapere, which binds the cities of Cochabamba and Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

The country is divided. There were some protests and manifestations for and against Mesa.


Rücktritt des Bolivianischen Präsidenten Mesa

La Paz (Bolivien), 07.03.2005 – Boliviens Präsident Carlos Mesa hat als Reaktion auf zunehmende soziale Unruhen seinen Rücktritt angekündigt. Mesa erklärte in einer Fernseh- und Radioansprache seinen Rücktritt mit den Worten: „Ich bin nicht bereit, diese schändliche Komödie zu verlängern.“

Als Hauptursache für Mesas Rücktritt gilt der Streit um die Nutzung der Bodenschätze des Landes, sowie das Verhältnis zu den Erdöl- und Erdgas-Konzernen. Die Bewegung des Sozialsismus Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS), die vom Kokabauernführer Evo Morales geführt wird, und die Gewerkschaften setzten die Regierung mit der Forderung unter Druck, höhere Förderabgaben von den Ölkonzernen zu verlangen. Das Parlament strebt derzeit eine Förderabgabe von etwa 18 Prozent an, während Morales Abgaben in Höhe von 50 Prozent fordert. Nach eigenen Angaben ist es das Ziel von Morales Bewegung, auch die verarmte ländliche Bevölkerung vom Abbau der wertvollen Rohstoffe profitieren zu lassen.

Auch Sanchez de Lozada, Mesas Vorgänger im Amt, scheiterte an der Rohstofffrage. Im Oktober 2003 ließ Lozada die Sicherheitskräfte massiv gegen Demonstranten vorgehen. Damals sollen rund 80 Menschen ums Leben gekommen sein.

Die Amtszeit des 51-jährigen Präsidenten, der als Intellektueller gilt, hätte noch bis 2007 angedauert. Laut Verfassung hat das Parlament das Recht, Mesas Rücktrittsgesuch abzulehnen.

Nachdem Mesas Rücktritt bekannt gegeben wurde, versammelten sich in La Paz mehrere hundert Anhänger des Präsidenten, um gegen dessen Rücktritt zu demonstrieren.


Renuncia el presidente de Bolivia

7 de marzo de 2005La Paz, Bolivia — Después de anunciar su renuncia la noche del domingo, Carlos Mesa, presidente de Bolivia, ha oficializado su dimisión a las 11.15 hora local (15.15 UTC) ante el Congreso de ese país. De aceptar la renuncia, Hormando Vaca Díez, presidente de la Cámara de Senadores, se convertirá en presidente interino.

La renuncia fue motivada por el anuncio de bloqueo de carreteras hecho por Evo Morales, líder del Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS), con el fin de presionar al legislativo para aprobar una Ley de Hidrocarburos considerada inconveniente por el gobierno boliviano. Dicha ley prevé un aumento desde 18% al 50% de las regalías de hidrocarburos. Morales, quien es además líder de los cultivadores de planta de coca, también ocasionó la renuncia de Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, antecesor de Mesa, en octubre de 2003. Al respecto de la decisión del mandatario boliviano, Morales manifestó: "la renuncia que hace es simplemente para chantajear, una renuncia para no cambiar nada, una renuncia fundamentalmente para que la agenda de octubre (pactada para nacionalizar el gas y llamar a una asamblea constituyente) no se lleve a cabo".

Los bloqueos se realizarían en dos sitios estratégicos, la ciudad de El Alto, vecina de la capital, y la localidad de El Chapare, en medio de la carretera que comunica las ciudades de Cochabamba y Santa Cruz de la Sierra. El primero, con el fin de presionar la salida del Grupo Suez, multinacional francesa encargada de la distribución del agua potable, debido a las altas tarifas, así como la intervención de la compañía Aguas del Illimani.

El país se encuentra dividido y se han registrado protestas y manifestaciones en todo el país, a favor y en contra del mandatario.


O Presidente da Bolívia renuncia

Depois de anunciar que iria renunciar na noite de domingo, 6 de março, o Presidente da Bolívia Carlos Mesa
oficializou de fato  a sua renúncia às 11 horas e 15 min (15:15 UTC),  perante o Congresso Nacional do país.  Depois de aceitar  a  renúncia, Hormando Vaca Díez, presidente da Câmara de Senadores, assumiu como Presidente da República interino.

Mesa disse:

A renúncia de Mesa foi motivada pelo anúncio  do bloqueio de estradas no país feito por Evo Morales, líder   dos plantadores de coca e do partido político  Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS), formado por plantadores de coca (cocaleros),  comunistas,  admiradores de Fidel Castro  e grupos indígenas radicais.  O objetivo do grupo é pressionar o legislativo  para aprovar a Lei de  Hidrocarbonetos,  que é considerada inconveniente pelo governo boliviano.   A lei  prevê um  aumento de 18% a 50% nos impostos sobre hidrocarbonetos.

Segundo declaração de Mesa, feita momentos antes da sua renúncia:

O MAS é um partido político assumidamente  contra os Estados Unidos da América, a globalização e o  neoliberalismo. Nas palavras do próprio Morales:

A Bolívia depende quase que completamente da sua exportação de hidrocarbonetos que tem em  abundância, principalmente gás (a segunda maior reserva de gás da América Latina). O cultivo de  coca também contribui, de forma legalmente questionável,  para as finanças do país. Os plantadores de coca  exigem cada vez mais a mesma atenção que o governo dá para a  produção de hidrocarbonetos.

O plantio da coca em alta quantidade é problemático, visto que essa planta é também a matéria-prima da cocaína, uma droga considerada ilegal na Bolívia e na maioria dos outros países. Atualmente a Bolívia é o terceiro produtor mundial de coca. Produtos derivados da coca e cocaína são exportados para mercados de drogas no Brasil, Chile, Argentina, União Europeia e EUA. O governo boliviano tenta reduzir a produção de coca com programas alternativos, mas enfrenta grande resistência por parte de alguns plantadores.

As maiores exportações de gás da Bolívia vinham sendo feitas para o Brasil. Recentemente,  o Brasil reduziu suas importações para aumentar o superávit  em sua balança comercial. Além disso, grandes jazidas de gás natural foram descobertas em território brasileiro, o que faz com que o gás boliviano  não seja tão necessário.

Os EUA têm interesse no gás boliviano. Todavia, o MAS se opõe à exportação de hidrocarbonetos para os norte-americanos  e  diz que isto serviria apenas para enriquecer aquele  país e suas multinacionais. Existe também um outro problema relacionado  à  exportação. Para disponibilizar o seu gás para compradores estrangeiros, é necessário ter um gasoduto que chegue até o Oceano Pacífico. A Bolívia não tem acesso direto ao oceano, e os únicos caminhos possíveis são através do vizinho Peru ou Chile, que oferece o caminho mais curto e viável. A passagem  pelo território chileno é delicada,  tendo em vista que a Bolívia já entrou em guerra com o Chile pelo controle do Corredor de Atacama, uma faixa de território que oferece uma passagem para o Pacíifico e que a Bolívia cedeu ao Chile em 1884.

Em outubro de 2003,  Morales  provocou   a  renúncia do então Presidente Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, ao promover manifestações em todo o país,  que resultaram na morte de aproximadamente 80 pessoas. Após a renúncia de Lozada, Mesa,  que era o vice-presidente, assumiu o comando do governo boliviano.

Sobre a renúncia de Mesa, Morales disse:"A renúncia ocorreu apenas para chantagear, uma renúncia que não vai  levar a nada, uma renúncia que fundamentalmente serve para que não ocorra a agenda de  outubro  [com a finalidade de nacionalizar o gás e proclamar um assembléia constituinte]."

Morales é um admirador de Fidel Castro e diz-se inspirar nos presidentes da Venezuela Hugo Chávez  e Brasil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Ele apóia a formação de um bloco anti-imperialista contra os EUA que está a ser organizado pelo presidente brasileiro e que reúne países árabes e latino-americanos [1].

Bloqueios de estradas aconteceram em dois lugares estratégicos: na cidade de El Alto, vizinha à capital, e  na localidade de El Chapere, no meio da estrada que liga as cidades de  Cochabamba e Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Na primeira cidade,  com o propósito de pressionar para a  saída do Grupo Suez, uma multinacional francesa encarregada da distribuição de água por causa  das alegadas altas tarifas, e também para pressionar  pela intervenção na companhia Aguas del  Illimani.

O país está dividido e acontecem vários protestos e manifestações a favor e contra Mesa.


2005/03/08: Bolivias president avgår

Sydamerika –
Bolivias president Carlos Mesa avgick officiellt söndagen den 6 mars.  Istället är Hormando Vaca Díez tillfällig president. Han avgår på grund av en omfattande protester och blockader mot regeringen energipolitik.