Thailand obliged to destroy seized arms shipment: Kasit
Thailand is obliged under a UN protocol to demolish all weapons seized from a Georgiaregistered cargo plane impounded at Don Mueang Airport, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said yesterday.
"We can neither store the weapons seized nor make use of them. They are not ours, and as a good member country of the world community, it is our responsibility to proceed further [with the demolition]," Kasit said after a onehour meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban.
He did not give details of his discussion with Suthep.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is now on a trip to Copenhagen, on Wednesday hinted certain types of weapons might not be destroyed, but instead used by the Thai military.
Suthep, who handles internal security affairs, earlier met with commanders of the armed forces and later said the weapons seizure had not been discussed. During the meeting, the Navy said it already maintained marine patrols to watch out for arms smuggling as a routine operation.
He later said the entire process would take no more than two weeks to determine what to do with the weapons. Responding to Abhisit's statement regarding certain types of weapons possibly being used by the Thai military, he said: "The statement is premature."
Asked about the history of such weapons seizures and subsequent use of them in other countries, Suthep said: "I have not checked into details about such a practice in Middle East countries."
He did not say why he cited Middle East countries as an example.
Responding to unconfirmed reports about Iran as the destination of the II76 flight, Suthep said: "All statements concerning the issue must be carefully chosen and made, especially about the destinations in whatever country. Otherwise, people may become angry with us.
"Possibly some [are] getting mad at us already, but Thailand is doing everything in a transparent manner. The final statements would be made when the dust settles, within a week's time or two weeks."
The Air Force yesterday dismissed reports about a metal box missing from the 145 that were counted.
"The Air Force has confirmed the number of boxes remains at 145, both when the cargo plane was first inspected and when the weapons cache were stored at Takhli Air Base in Nakhon Sawan," said Air Force deputy spokesman Group Captain Monthon Satchukorn.
National Security Council secretarygeneral Thawil Pliensri said the operation was carried out solely by members of Thai intelligence communities, both military and civilian.
"There are no orders, commands or mandates given to us by outside authorities to undertake the action. Thailand has internal laws authorising all operations, while it is obligated to UN Resolution 1874," he said.
"Once we detect arms smuggling, we must impound them, seize them and dispose of them, then report all actions to the UN."
Thawil said Thailand was not creating more enemies through this operation and dismissed all political and mainstream criticism of it.
He said he expected more advice from the UN to proceed with the demolition.
"And it would be greatly appreciated if the UN shouldered all of the financial burden," Thawil added.
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