29.09.09 Thailand's Anti-Corruption Commission to rule on Preah Vihear charge Tuesday
Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is scheduled
to rule on Tuesday on the previous government's resolution which
supported Cambodia's listing of the ancient Preah Vihear temple as a
World Heritage site.
The NACC decided last November to press charges against 44 persons
including 28 Cabinet members in the Samak Sundaravej administration and
state officials in connection with the signing of a joint communique
with Cambodia without seeking parliamentary approval as required by the
Constitution.
The joint communique was signed by Thailand’s then foreign minister
Noppadon Pattama and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18,
2008.
The NACC decided last Tuesday to postpone the ruling to today.
NACC Commissioner Klanarong Chantik said last week that the NACC
would consider the case on two separate issues: impeachment and
criminal prosecution following the Constitutional Court's ruling that
the joint communique was unconstitutional.
He said the anti-graft commission would tackle whether each of the
44 was intentionally involved in malfeasance that caused damage to the
country.
The commission, he explained last week, finished investigating 12
persons, but the other 32 would be further scrutinised with the results
to be disclosed on September 29.
Of the 28 accused ministers, four are members of the Abhisit
government. They include Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart,
Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Pattaraprasit, Information and
Communication Technology Minister Ranongrak Suwanchawee and Natural
Resources and Environment Minister Suvit Khunkitti.
The accused were charged with negligence of duty and violating
Article 190 of the 2007 Constitution which imposes that any treaty
affecting Thailand's society, economy and integrity of its borders must
be approved by Parliament. (TNA)
Source: TNA, 29.09.09 http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=12042
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