Pubdate: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand) Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2007 Contact: http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/39 Author: Supawadee Inthawong JUSTICE PANEL TO REVIEW TRT CABINET MEETINGS Thaksin's Drugs War Policy Under Scrutiny An independent committee looking into alleged extra-judicial killings during the 2003 war on drugs has agreed to examine Thaksin Shinawatra's cabinet meetings to find out more about the drugs war policy blamed for more than 2,500 deaths. A source close to the committee said the members deemed it necessary to study and analyse what was discussed during the cabinet meetings at the time. According to the source, the minutes of the meetings might offer clues as to how the policy laid down by deposed prime minister Thaksin turned violent. The committee, chaired by former attorney-general Khanit na Nakhon, met yesterday to study preliminary information supplied by state agencies. Committee secretary Charnchao Chaiyanukij said that a key piece of information was a recording of an anti-drugs meeting between Mr Thaksin and provincial governors and senior interior officials. The committee was recently set up to study the formation and implementation of drug suppression policies during the Thaksin administration and six sub-committees were formed to assist it in its work. Jarun Pukditanakul, permanent secretary for justice and head of a sub-panel, said yesterday the committee needed more information from the public and the media as most of the details to date had come from state agencies. Mr Jarun's panel is tasked with investigating the policy makers who were behind the war on drugs in 2003. Kraisak Choonhavan, who chairs a sub-committee on the international community, said his panel has requested data from international organisations to supply information about human rights violations in the war on drugs. These agencies include the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, he said. Mr Khanit, meanwhile, said the committee might not be able to complete its job by the time the interim government leaves office. A general election has been scheduled for December 23. He said the committee members were aware that the task is extremely difficult. "But a change of government should not be a problem as long as our work has support from the public," he said. The committee's next meeting is scheduled for Oct 27. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom