Chuan defends govt in censure debate

Chuan defends govt in censure debate

BANGKOK (AP): Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai defended his
government in a censure debate yesterday against allegations that
his efforts to lift Thailand out of the worst economic crisis in
decades showed heartlessness to the poor.

Chuan was seen as certain of defeating the censure vote,
scheduled for Saturday. But Thai media speculated that he might
replace his industry minister, accused by the parliamentary
opposition of corruption.

Overcoming the censure motion would ensure Chuan's government
can stick to his program of rebuilding confidence in the battered
Thai economy by following reforms demanded by the International
Monetary Fund.

The opposition accused Chuan during the debate of lacking
sympathy with the plight of Thailand's poor, who face price hikes
and layoffs as factories and companies fold. The economy is
expected to shrink 3 percent this year.

Chuan, widely seen as Thailand's most honest political leader,
said that his accusers cared only about the poor at election
time.

"As a son of villagers, I know that feeling sympathy for the
poor doesn't depend on words," Chuan said. "It depends on deeds.
Some people use the poor at election time by paying for their
votes. These people deserve to be condemned. They're like
political vampires."

Chuan is enjoying high public confidence after a successful
visit to the United States, where President Bill Clinton rewarded
his handling of Thailand's economic crisis with a $1.7 billion
aid package. A poll taken after the debate opened Wednesday gave
Chuan a 66 percent approval rating.

The debate has been led by Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, the premier
Chuan replaced in November, and leaders from his former
government using the forum to rewrite the record of their role in
presiding over last year's economic meltdown.

They have blamed the government Chuan headed from 1992 to 1995
for fueling the real estate and financial speculation that
weakened what was one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

The bubble burst last year when Chavalit floated the baht
after Thailand's reserves were drained in defending against
attacks by currency speculators. The resulting financial turmoil
spread across Asia and rocked world markets.

Chuan, chief of the Democrat Party, is widely perceived as the
most honest leader in Thailand's corruption-ridden politics.
Attacks have zeroed in on less well-regarded members of the
eight-party coalition forming his narrow 207-185 majority.

One was Industry Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, accused by the
opposition of misusing his authority in granting a marble mining
concession and of taking a 200 million baht ($5 million) kickback
from sugar millers to raise retail prices.

In a meeting between Chuan and party leaders assessing damage
during the debate, Somsak, a member of the Social Action Party,
was judged to have inadequately defended himself, The Nation
newspaper reported. Any decision on replacing him would be left
to the Social Action Party.

A minor reshuffle would have little impact on Chuan's
government as long as no party bolted. Under provisions of a new
reform constitution, he is unlikely to face another censure
motion this year.

Crucially, Chuan appeared to have kept the loyalty of 12
members of the small Prachakorn Thai Party who disobeyed leader
Samak Sundaravej, an avowed Chuan enemy, and joined the
government last year.

Samak, who was the official opposition strategist in the
censure debate, is seeking to expel them from both the party and
their seats in the House of Representatives.