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Thailand: Negotiation between gov’t and red-shirt leaders fails

Thailand ’s Prime Minister Abihisit Vejjajiva and three “red-shirt” leaders failed to reach any concrete agreement in the first direct round of talks on March 28, but agreed to meet again at 6:00 p.m. on March 29.
Thailand ’s Prime Minister AbihisitVejjajiva and three “red-shirt” leaders failed to reach any concreteagreement in the first direct round of talks on March 28, but agreed tomeet again at 6:00 p.m. on March 29.

The Thainational television informed that the talks started at 4.30 p.m. andended shortly before 7.30 p.m at King Prajadhipok's Institute incapital Bangkok .

The political negotiation was attended by Abhisit, hissecretary-general Korbsak Sabhavasu, and ruling Democrat Party DeputySecretary-General Chamni Sakdiset from the government side, as well asthree core leaders, including Veera Musikapong, Jatuporn Prompan, andWeng Thojirakarn, from the red-shirt side.

Veera Musikapong, head of the red-shirt delegation, insisted on thePM’s dissolution of the Lower House for a new general election.

However, PM Abhisit continued to reject this request, saying that animmediate election will not help solve the political crisis which hasdisturbed Thailand since 2005.

The first round of negotiations between PM Abhisit and theanti-government leaders was taking place while 5,000 “red-shirt” peopleleft for Phan Fah Bridge , where around 20,000 others weredemonstrating./.
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