P. Vihear communique ruling deferred

Writer: BangkokPost.com

Published: 22/09/2009

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has deferred until Sept 29 its ruling on the 44 people, the majority former ministers of the Samak Sundaravej government, charged in connection with the cabinet approval on June 17 last year of a joint communique with Cambodia without parliament's approval, commissioner Klanarong Chanthik said on Tuesday.

The anti-graft agency had been expected to decide today whether to indict any of the accused on negligence of duty and/or disciplinary charges.

However, today's meeting was able to consider only 12 of them, because the NACC chairman had to attend another meeting on the selection of senators, Mr Klanarong said.

He did not confirm whether the 12 were politicians or permanent ministry officials.

Mr Klanarong said the NACC will meet against on Sept 29 to look into the evidence against the 32 others, individually. He expected a ruling would be issued that day.

He was adamant the NACC did not intend to specifically find fault with former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama.

Mr Noppadon on June 18 last year signed the joint communique to support Cambodia's bid to list Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site after receiving the cabinet's approval.

This led to other cabinet members who attended the meeting on June 17 last year also being charged with violating Article 190 of the constitution. which requires parliamentary approval for all foreign agreements.