Special report: Army coup in
Thailand
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Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra leaves an apartment in central London, September 21, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)
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LONDON, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Ousted Thai Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called here on Thursday for a new general election
in Thailand quickly.
In a statement, he said "We hope the new regime will
quickly arrange a new general election and continue to uphold the principles of
democracy for the future of all Thais."
Thaksin, who arrived in London from New York in
Wednesday evening for a "private visit," would take a "deserved rest" from
politics, planning to carry out research, development and "possible charitable
work for Thailand," the statement said.
"The event in Thailand during the last two days
should not detract from my main aim of national reconciliation," the statement
added. "Therefore (I) would like to urge all parties to find ways and means to
reconcile and work toward national reconciliation for the sake of our king and
country."
On Wednesday, a spokesman for British Prime Minister
Tony Blair said there had been no requests from Thaksin or his entourage for any
meetings with British government ministers or officials.
The spokesman was not aware how long Thaksin was
expected to stay, but noted that he had relatives in Britain. One of Thaksin's
daughters is studying at a university in London.
The Thai Army Commander, General Sonthi
Boonyaratglin, announced on Tuesday night that he had established a Reform
Council to take over Thaksin-led administration of the country. A nationwide
state of martial law has been declared.
Gen. Sonthi told a news conference in Bangkok that a
new prime minister would be named within two weeks, and new elections would take
place in a year's time, once a new constitution was written.
Blair's spokesman said the British government was
concerned about developments in Thailand. "Our general approach would be that we
want to see a return to democracy as quickly as possible," he said.
"There are elections scheduled for October and
November and we are actively trying to find out whether those elections will go
ahead or not," he added. Enditem
