[size=5]PM's submarine 'mix-up'[/size]
THE NATION
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra made a blunder yesterday when she told reporters that the Cabinet approved the Navy
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra made a blunder yesterday when she told reporters that the Cabinet approved the Navy’s plan to buy six second-hand German submarines worth Bt6.9 billion though in fact the proposal was not part of the agenda at yesterday’s meeting.
Leaving the meeting, Yingluck appeared slightly confused when asked if the Cabinet gave the green light to separate military plans to buy the German submarines and US-made Blackhawk helicopters.
“I don’t recall that. The Cabinet discussed 37 points today [yesterday] and had no reservation. Regarding the submarine plan, it has been approved. But for the Blackhawks, there’s some issues about the price that requires a discussion with the Budget Bureau,” she said early yesterday afternoon.
However, about two hours later, after the prime minister’s words had been reported by the online media, deputy government spokesman Chalitrat Chantharubeksa walked through the afternoon rain to the Government House press room to correct the prime minister’s statement.
He said that the Cabinet did not consider the submarine-purchase plan yesterday.
“The prime minister may be mixed up between submarines and helicopters. In fact, she referred to helicopters,” the deputy spokesman said, adding that the Army request to buy eight French-made helicopters was approved by the Cabinet. “She thought the question was about the eight helicopters.”
He also joked that the inaccurate media reports stemming from the prime minister’s “mix-up” might have “caused the Navy to be happy”.
The prime minister did not clarify or make any correction on the issue to Government House reporters.
The Navy is seeking Cabinet endorsement to buy six second-hand U-206 submarines, preferably before Friday – the deadline set by Germany for purchasing the submarines at a discount price.
The six submarines will be decommissioned by the German navy. Four will be refurbished before being deployed in the Gulf of Thailand, while two are slated for spare parts.
The original spending outlay was Bt7.7 billion, but the Navy agreed to cut the price after vetting by a panel formed by Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha.
The Office of the Auditor-General dropped its earlier objection to the deal after receiving justification for the purchase from the Navy and the defence panel. However, the Cabinet asked the Army to revise its Bt2.8-billion proposal to purchase Blackhawk helicopters.
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