BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Thailand coup leader Gen. Winai Phattiyakul in a press conference Friday in Bangkok asked for patience from a foreign media complaining about censorship and responded to a statement by U.S. Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice urging the quick return of democracy.

    Winai criticized foreign media for unfair coverage of the coup, saying the military was concerned by the international community's reaction.

    Winai led a round-table discussion with foreign journalists, repeatedly saying coup leaders intend to respect their self-imposed two-week deadline for installing a civilian government. The deadline expires Oct. 4.

    "I'm not saying all the media are opposing what's happening in Thailand," Winai said. "But you've got to be fair and look at the opinion of the Thai people."

    Polls have shown Thais overwhelmingly support the coup

    Winai also responded to Rice's statement earlier this week that the country needs "to get a civilian government and they need to get to elections and get back on a democratic path very, very quickly."

    Winai said Rice should consider the "difficult situation we have been facing for several months."

    The military intervened because intelligence showed the likelihood of imminent, violent clashes between ousted Premier Thaksin Shinawatra's supporters and opponents, said Winai.

    The U.S. said Thursday it was suspending 24 million U.S. dollars in military aid to Thailand by invoking laws that bar certain aid programs to governments that have taken power by force.

    "We understand the decision of the U.S. and hope the U.S. will also understand the decision of Thailand," Winai said.    

    Defending the decision to censor BBC, CNN and other foreign broadcasts, Winai said that coup leaders felt Thaksin's image on TV could have caused "a lot of damage" to their efforts. Thaksin was in New York at the time attending the U.N. General Assembly and is currently in London.

    "We had to do that in the first few days," he said. "We are considering lifting (restrictions) very soon."

    Thai journalists often faced intimidation during Thaksin's five years in office and now face new restrictions that coup leaders say are needed to maintain order. Armed soldiers now stand guard in TV newsrooms, and more than 400 community radio stations in the north and northeast - areas that supported Thaksin - have been closed.

    Winai said restrictions on domestic media will be a consideration for the new civilian government.

    "We will strongly consider advising the next administration to lift any ... restrictions, if possible," he said, "if there is no sign of unrest and instability." Enditem

    (Agencies)