Review 'regrets misunderstanding'

Published on Feb 28, 2002

Magazine stops short of full apology; PM vows pair's expulsion will proceed

The beleaguered Far Eastern Economic Review (FEER) expressed "regret" yesterday over what it called an "apparent misunderstanding" caused by an article in its January 10 edition, but fell short of making a full apology as demanded by the Interior Ministry.

In a letter dated February 26, FEER's Hong Kong-based editor, Michael Vatikiotis said that it was never the magazine's intention to violate any conventions of Thai society.

"I sincerely regret any apparent misunderstanding that the issue may have caused. We certainly meant no offence to anybody or any institution," he said.

The letter was faxed to General Sant Sarutanond, the police commissioner-general. Sant said the content of the letter was still not clear and that police still wanted to talk to FEER's Bangkok bureau chief, American Shawn Crispin, and correspondent Rodney Tasker, a Briton, to hear their explanation of the situation.

"The FEER has reported from Thailand for more than half a century. We are fully aware of the sensitivities and conventions of Thai society, including the great respect for the royal institution. I can assure you that we have no intention of violating these conventions or causing any offence," read the letter.

Sant earlier demanded the Review issue an apology and "correct" information in the Review's "Intelligence" column, which referred to "tension" between the Royal Palace and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Vatikiotis also said the Review sought an opportunity to meet with senior government officials to discuss the issue at the earliest opportunity and bring the matter to the end.

"It is our policy that we admit our mistakes and correct them. Moreover, we're always open to hearing all sides of an issue, consistent with the responsible and reputable status of our magazine," the letter added.

Crispin and Tasker yesterday reported to police after submitting an appeal against a police order revoking their work visas and ordering their deportation. The order was issued on grounds that the pair constituted a threat to national security.

After reporting to police, the two men had their passports confiscated and were fingerprinted. They were informed that they could stay in Thailand for another 30 days pending their appeal but that they are not allowed to work.

An Immigration Police committee chaired by the permanent secretary for the Interior will consider the appeal next week, a police spokesman said yesterday.

Meanwhile, Thaksin said he was intent on expelling the two foreign journalists.

The premier insisted he would not give in to pressure, led by the US State Department, that the expulsion order be reconsidered. The State Department on Monday said it was concerned about the action taken against the staff of the Hong Kong-based news magazine and about freedom of the press in Thailand generally.

"Don't pay any attention to the US comments. I will not easily accept this as it is detrimental to the country and interferes with our sovereignty. I will not give up," said Thaksin.

He claimed he had warned the US through Ambassador Darryl Johnson "to act in an appropriate way, not outside the boundary" regarding the issue.

"This is our affair. Every country has its own problems and when they [the US] take action there are no complaints, it is just kept quiet. But when others do, a problem arises," he said. "This should not happen."

"If they [journalists] come to destroy Thailand, then regardless of their race or nationality we will consider them persona non grata," Thaksin said, adding that journalists who "love our country" are still welcome.

He also called on all parties not to politicise the matter for their own benefit. "Some may not like me, but they should not use this opportunity to mix [their dislike] with this matter," Thaksin said.

Interior Minister Purachai Piumsombun, who is considering the police's request to blacklist the two foreign journalists from re-entering the country, said the controversy would not end even with an apology from the Review.

"The revocation of the visas of the two journalists was issued under jurisdiction of the Immigration Police, but the matter will not come to an end with an apology because it is a criminal charge. This has to be considered in court," he said.

Purachai admitted the police were powerless to trace the source of the "incorrect information" in the Review article if the journalists refused to reveal the source's name.

The minister reiterated earlier comments that the affair was not a freedom-of-expression or a human-rights issue. He cited provisions in the UN Convention on Human Rights to the effect that freedom of expression is guaranteed within a country's rules and laws.

The Review's lawyer, David Lyman, said efforts were being made to "find a Thai solution" to the impasse.

"This is a tempest in a teapot. It will die down as the next big event happens," he said. "Oh, sure" he replied, when asked whether he believed the pair would eventually be allowed to stay in Thailand.

Lyman is scheduled to meet Sant at the Royal Thai Police Bureau today to discuss the matter.

The police decision to expel the journalists received support yesterday from former Senate speaker Meechai Ruchuphan, who criticised some MPs and Senators who came out in support of FEER.

The Review did not deserve their support, Meechai said, because the article linked the prime minister and the monarchy, a move he said was unacceptable.

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Technical glitch cause of blackout

United Broadcasting Corporation said yesterday a brief blackout during the Nation Channel's interview of leading government critic Prasong Soonsiri was caused by technical problems.

"We have checked with UBC and been told that there was a technical failure," said Adisak Limprungpattanakij, the channel's editor.

"The problem prevented the signal receiver at the UBC from receiving transmission from our channel."

Nation Multimedia Group, which operates the 24-hour news channel, fielded many phone calls inquiring about the 10-minute blackout. The incident also became a topic of discussion on the political website, pantip.com.

The blackout occurred when Prasong was hitting back at Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's claims that "a pipe-smoking man" was the primary source of the controversial Far Eastern Economic Review report of tension between Thaksin and the Royal Palace.

The interview went off the air after Prasong called the government a "coward" for not naming him directly in its accusation.

The Nation Channel went back on air after about 10 minutes, by which time the interview was over.

PM's Office Minister Thamarak Isarangura, who supervises the Mass Communications Organisation of Thailand, angrily denied that the blackout was a form of censorship or government interference.

"I have been told that there was some kind of power failure. This is not harassment or interference and there's no need to investigate," he said.

"We are not angels who can prevent a blip in power supply. When it occurred during other interviews, nobody complained this much."

Thaksin said he had not been informed of the incident.

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'Cowardly' PM behind order

Thaksin dragging Thailand into disrepute over expulsions, says critic

Sorayuth Suthassanachinda and Kanok Ratwongsakul interview Prasong Soonsiri, director of Naew Na newspaper, about the government's plan to blacklist four Far Eastern Economic Review (FEER) journalists.

Were you frightened when the prime minister mentioned that a pipe-smoker was the source of the article in FEER?

Did he mention a name?

No, he didn't.

What a coward. It's too bad he didn't dare say the name.

He might not mean you.

Thaksin also smokes a pipe but his gestures are not as gracious as mine. Let me put it this way, he likes to raise accusations against other people, especially foreign journalists. He wants to blacklist four FEER journalists. If they have committed a wrongdoing as alleged, they should not be expelled but detained here to be sued and tried in court. It should happen that way for the sake of transparency, and the whole world will be informed that this government rules according to the law. But if he thinks that he owns the country and has the power to do anything he wants, it will affect the country's image.

But police argue that they have followed the proper legal procedures.

There must be clear-cut allegations to back up a decision to deport or deny entry to anyone. For example, the United States will say that someone is denied an entry visa because he is suspected of being involved in drug trafficking. But in the FEER case, the government says they have committed contempt against an institution, but how? I know that foreign journalists who come to work here are well aware that they have to make their living here. They know they cannot violate the traditions, culture or anything which is highly revered. Their journalistic spirit tells them not to do that. Not only this, but other FEER articles about Thaksin [Shinawatra], were also critical of him. And not only FEER, but also Time Magazine questioned him. Before the election, The Economist also had a cover story headlined "Thaksin: Tycoon or Thai con?"

Are you saying this is the prime minister's issue, and not involving an institution?

That's it. And he is trying to find excuses to divert public attention from his own mistakes. That's why I said if they had violated the institution, they must not be allowed to leave the country.

They should not be deported?

The prime minister wants to silence them that way. But didn't he think that they would write again? Thaksin simply wanted to silence them so that the issue would end here in Thailand and hope the issue would die down after blaming someone. But this will not be ended easily. Deporting journalists is a big issue, which democratic countries won't do. Only dictatorial regimes use that method.

The police and government say the article dragged down the institution into politics. You say the government has to take legal action against them on this point?

Yes. That's the right way to do it. They just can't be simply let go.

But police argue that if the case goes to court, the information would be made public and it would not be worth it.

It won't turn out that way. But it will show transparency in the system. Or else foreign countries will see that Thailand has no standard for dealing with criminal cases. Foreign countries know they can bank on their justice systems. So, if this is not dealt with properly according to the justice system, but is dealt with by abusing power, it will affect the country as a whole. Take my case for example. I have been writing articles every day, but the government has accused me of writing leaflets. I replied that I would not do that. The prime minister said I got the leaflets' information from junkyards, so I replied that the prime minister would have no honour to read information from junkyards.

Is this the second time you have been mentioned?

Right.

Were you surprised that it was you?

He is afraid of me. It may be because I know a lot about him. In my life, I've never behaved in ways that compromise my etiquette and ethics. Readers can judge my daily column on Page 3, and see the factual information and justifications. I've never issued dud cheques. I have never been sued for cheating others. I've never cheated a temple property. I've never bought land through the abuse of legal loopholes. I don't have money. But, if I had money, I wouldn't disguise my money as belonging to servants, guards or drivers. I won't behave that way.

When the "person who smokes a pipe" was mentioned, many thought it might be you.

You've done right to call me. Even Thai Rath reported two days ago that the "person who smokes a pipe" ordered FEER to write that article.

Do you know the FEER reporters? Have you ever interviewed them?

I know a lot of reporters. I have served the government and I have fought against unrighteousness. But Thaksin has never fought for either in his political career, nor fought to defend the motherland.

So, do you know the FEER reporters?

I know only Rodney Tasker because he has been living in Thailand for 20 years. I've known him since I was in the government service. Anyway, I am always cautious when giving interviews. I know what I should say or not. I don't make a slip of tongue easily.

You wrote in Naew Na today that the whole world has blacklisted Thailand?

Yes, I did.

Is that serious?

We are journalists and we know that the world communities are seeing that Thailand likes to rule with power so the country is damaged. It would be OK if only the government's image was affected. But Thailand has been building good reputations, which were gone in a blink.

But Thaksin didn't mention your name.

I would like him to say my name.

He might not mean you.

I was responding to your questions. And I smoke a pipe and I won't quit. I don't just pretend to smoke a pipe for newspapers to take photos.

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FEER letter

Police General Sant Sarutanond

Director General

Royal Thai Police

Bangkok,

Kingdom of Thailand

Hong Kong

26 February, 2002.

Dear General Sant,

I am writing to appeal to you in person regarding the pending action against our two reporters Rodney Tasker and Shawn Crispin.

The Far Eastern Economic Review has reported from Thailand for more than half a century. We are fully aware of sensitivities and conventions of Thai society, including great respect for the Royal institution. I can assure you that we have no intention of violating these conventions or causing any offence.

In an earlier letter to Police Major General Tritos Ranaridhvichai on 10 January, 2002, we stressed that the magazine had no intention to violate any convention of Thai society.

In this regard I sincerely regret any apparent misunderstanding that this issue may have caused. We certainly meant no offence to anybody or any institution.

It is our policy that we admit our mistakes and correct them. Moreover, we're always open to hearing all sides of an issue, consistent with the responsible and reputable status of our magazine. We would like nothing better than to have an opportunity to meet with senior government officials to discuss this issue at the earliest opportunity and bring this to finality.

We're hoping that this situation will be resolved promptly and amicably. We certainly regret this unpleasant incident and all the heated publicity it has generated. Please understand there was no intention on our part to impugn any revered Thai institution. Finally, let me say that the Far Eastern Economic Review has a long association with Thailand and we remain committed to covering the country.

Yours Sincerely,

(signed)

Michael Vatikiotis

Editor