Thai military seeks to ease fears for democracy

BANGKOK, Sep 29 (Reuters) Thailand's coup leaders will work alongside an interim civilian government, not above it, officials said today, trying to ease fears about the army casting its shadow over a return to democracy and beyond.

''I think it could be described as a partnership rather than a heirarchical relationship,'' senior Foreign Ministry official Krit Garnjana-Goonchorn said.

The Council for Democratic Reform (CDR), as the coup leaders call themselves, say they will announce a stop-gap constitution and Prime Minister in the next few days to keep the country and economy ticking over while a new constitution is drawn up.

However, human rights groups are worried their decision to stay on as a Council for National Security means the new charter cannot be truly democratic.

Krit denied that.

''They have no power to issue any order whatsover in the running of the government, except in security,'' he told foreign journalists.

But the interim constitution would give the council the power to fire the civilian government, he said.

''The power is there in reserve. If things did not work out, the Council For National Security would not have to resort to non-peaceful means to effect change. It is a power that is in reserve. I don't think they forsee a situation to resort to it.'' Thai media are focusing on respected former army chief Surayud Chulanont as interim prime minister, although CDR member General Winai Phattiyakul said the decision had not been made and would not be announced before the interim constitution.

''I like him. I prefer him. Surayud is my choice, but I don't have the power to choose,'' Winai told the news conference.

He also said that deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, now living in exile in London, was welcome to return to his homeland.

''Thaksin is a Thai. He can participate in Thai politics as long as he has not committed a crime under Thai law. We are not going to prevent him from returning to politics,'' he said.

In the face of international condemnation of the coup, including Washington suspending million in aid, Winai defended the army's action as vital to prevent serious social unrest caused by popular opposition in Bangkok to Thaksin.

''If you were riding on a train and you see it could derail or collide with another train and cause loss of life, it makes sense to make a detour to avoid a tragedy,'' he said.

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