US urges Thailand's caretaker government, protesters to hold talks

BANGKOK, April 8 (TNA) - The United States has urged Thailand's caretaker government and protesting groups to negotiate and work out a democratic solution to the country's political strife. Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel R Russel told journalists, after meeting with Thailand's Caretaker Prime Minister and Defence Minister at the Ministry of Defence in Bangkok on Tuesday morning, that Washington does not take any side but it wants conflicting parties in Thailand to negotiate and work out a democratic solution, as persistent domestic political protests have negatively affect the economies of Thailand, the United States and other countries. Russel said he also extended US concerns over Thailand's political situation during his meeting with Yingluck. Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who also attended the meeting, revealed, meanwhile, that he told Russel and his delegation that Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee, has announced to seize power from the caretaker prime minister and seek sovereign status, the act of which is considered treason and has threatened national security; so, the caretaker government-run Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CMPO) is discussing prosecution against the PDRC chief. Surapong noted that he also ordered his subordinates to translate the PDRC chief’s speech on the matter on April 5 and send the translated transcription to all foreign embassies in Thailand. According to the caretaker deputy prime minister, his caretaker administration did not ask any foreign organization to intervene in Thailand's internal affairs, but international organizations were amicably concerned over the domestic situation. The deputy prime minister stated that his caretaker government has already filed a complaint against crackdowns on demonstrators by Thailand's previous Democrat Party-led government, in which the PDRC chief was a deputy prime minister tasked with anti-government protests in 2010, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and it is waiting for a response.(TNA)