Samak, Noppadon face charges over communique

       The anti-graft agency plans to bring criminal charges against former prime minister Samak Sundaravej and former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama for the signing of a joint communique with Cambodia over Preah Vihear temple.
       The nine members of the National Anti-Corruption Commission voted 6-3 yesterday to file the charges against Mr Samak and Mr Noppadon.
       They voted 8-1 to dismiss complaints against the other 36 members of the Samak cabinet and six government officials who were included in the investigation of the signing of the Preah Vihear communique.
       The NACC found the former prime minister and foreign minister negligent in their duties under Article 157 of the Criminal Code for their support of the joint communique.
       It found the other cabinet members and government officials had no intention to commit alleged wrongdoing.
       "Mr Samak, as head of the government, must have been aware the issue was sensitive and could affect the country's territory and lead to a social crisis," NACC spokesman Klanarong Chantik said.
       Mr Klanarong said Mr Noppadon had been aware of the facts regarding the situation but proceeded to sign the communique in secret.
       Mr Noppadon had ignored the advice of Foreign Ministry officials who warned him of the damage the signing of the communique would cause to the country's territorial integrity, he said.
       The NACC will forward its recommendations to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.
       After learning of the NACC's ruling,Mr Noppadon said he was not surprised. There were no grounds for it,he said, and he could defend all issues raised by the NACC.
       He said the joint communique did not require parliament's approval because it was not an international treaty.The document would not lead to the loss of Thai territory to Cambodia as it made clear to Phnom Penh there would be no change regarding the disputed area near Preah Vihear.