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Posted on 09/17/2001 4:37:34 PM PDT by jedi150

MP tells Bush to use pork bombs

                           Published on Sep 18, 2001

                           The Thai Rak Thai Party yesterday scrambled to distance itself
                           from a proposal by one of its MPs that America employs the use
                           of pork against Islamic Afghanistan.

                           In an e-mail sent to US President George W Bush, Tinawat
                           Marukpitak suggested America could humiliate Afghanistan with
                           "pork-fat bombs".

                           Thai Rak Thai spokesman Suranand Vejjajiva rushed to call the
                           US Embassy to explain that Tinawat's suggestion was an
                           individual proposal and had nothing to do with the party.

                           Suranand also issued a press release to local and foreign press
                           offices condemning Tinawat for expressing this "insensitive
                           idea".

                           Speaking to reporters, Suranand said the Thai Rak Thai Party
                           condemned Tinawat's action and would demand that the MP
                           explain himself to the party.

                           "This was a shameful action. How could such an idea come out
                           during this situation?" said the party spokesman.

                           "He has acted inappropriately without taking into account the
                           sensitivity of the situation and without caring about serious
                           religious and political conflicts".

                           In his letter, copies of which he handed out to reporters, Tinawat
                           stated that cruise missiles mounted with pork-fat bombs would be
                           "the most effective response that can be brought to bear on the
                           persons in the Islamic countries who are guilty of harbouring
                           these criminals".

                           He said the use of such bombs would prevent the loss of
                           innocent people's lives.

                           "We consider the content of the letter totally inconsiderate to the
                           feelings of human beings and insensitive to the delicate situation
                           the world is facing," Suranand said in his press statement.

                           "Tinawat's point of view is not that of Thai Rak Thai's and he is to
                           be condemned for his poor suggestions."

                           Government spokesman Yongyuth Tiyapairat said Tinawat
                           should not have added confusion to the situation with comments
                           made "just for kicks".

                           Thai Rak Thai MP Farida Sulaiman, a Muslim, said Tinawat's
                           proposals were "absurd" and would damage the country's image.
                           They may also fuel further religious conflicts.

                           She said the party would discuss Tinawat's action today.

                           Democrat MP Surin Pitsuwan, a former foreign minister and a
                           Muslim, said Tinawat's proposals were "so thoughtless" and thus
                           deserved no comment from him.

                           Despite learning of the criticism over his suggestions, Tinawat
                           remained defiant and insisted that he had been thinking his
                           proposals over for three days before sending the letter.

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