Censure debate begins in Thailand<\/p>\n
BANGKOK (AP): A no-confidence debate against three key
\nministers in the government of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai got
\noff to a lackluster start on Wednesday, with no apparent points
\nscored by the opposition.<\/p>\n
\"A great depression is coming,\" warned former Prime Minister
\nChavalit Yongchaiyudh as he opened the opposition's onslaught.
\n\"The stability of the nation and the income of the people have
\ndramatically declined.\"<\/p>\n
In an inauspicious start to the proceedings, a power failure
\nstruck parts of central Bangkok just seconds after Chavalit began
\ntalking, keeping many television viewers from watching him.<\/p>\n
Targeted for censure are Finance Minister Tarrin
\nNimmanahaeminda, Interior Minister Sanan Kachornprasart and
\nTransport and Communications Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, all
\nmembers of Prime Minister Chuan's Democrat Party.<\/p>\n
They have been accused of corruption, abuse of power and
\nmalfeasance in handling the economic crisis.<\/p>\n
Most analysts expect that after the scheduled two days of
\ndebate, the three ministers will easily survive no confidence
\nvotes expected to be cast on Friday.<\/p>\n
The seven-party coalition government commands a 255-132 seat
\nmajority in the House of Representatives, where the debate is
\ntaking place.<\/p>\n
Chavalit began with a caustic attack on Tarrin, accusing the
\nfinance minister of selling the country to the International
\nMonetary Fund, which is loaning Thailand $17.2 billion in
\nexchange for economic, financial and legal reforms.<\/p>\n
In a spirited defense, Tarrin said Chavalit must share the
\nblame for the country's economic woes.<\/p>\n
Thailand's economic crisis erupted in July 1997 while Chavalit
\nwas prime minister. It rapidly rolled across the region and
\nbeyond.<\/p>\n
In August of that year, Chavalit's government asked the IMF to
\nintervene. His government collapsed in November 1997, with Chuan
\ntaking over the reins.<\/p>\n
The IMF aid package has been widely criticized for attaching
\nharsh conditions that probably hindered economic recovery.<\/p>\n
Other opposition speakers concentrated their fire on Interior
\nMinister Sanan, repeating well-publicized charges about land
\nscandals and alleging unconstitutional actions and abuse of
\npower.<\/p>\n
\"I don't see how you have the nerve to remain in your
\nposition. You don't deserve to be there. Get out!,\" said Adisorn
\nPiangket of Chavalit's New Aspiration Party.<\/p>\n
House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha stepped in at one point
\nto warn an opposition speaker against using personal invective,
\nafter he called Sanan a \"crater-face,\" in reference to his
\npockmarked complexion.<\/p>\n
The debate was preceded by a month-long campaign of bomb
\nblasts, scares and hoaxes. Two weeks ago a small bomb exploded
\nnear the headquarters of Chuan's Democrat Party.<\/p>\n
Some Democrats have accused military men close to Chavalit of
\norchestrating the wave of explosions to create an atmosphere of
\nfear and instability. The opposition denies it.<\/p>",
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