Joint solutions

Re: “Abhisit slams govt’s unity pact as useless”, ( BP, Feb 18).

I agree with Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva that the junta should not focus on a unity agreement for national reconciliation, for the military’s whole approach to reconciliation is fatally flawed.

I suggest that, as in Aesop’s fable of six blind men and the elephant, each task is composed of different valid perceptions — to succeed, we must welcome and understand the perceptions and concerns of others. On reconciliation, ordering sides to “think, but don’t express your thoughts” (Gen Prawit), and banning them from a meeting of the minds is counter-productive to promoting understanding and hammering out overarching joint goals.

We should follow our beloved national father HM Rama 9’s legendary approach to national problem-solving, for example, in weaning hill tribes off growing illegal opium. First, we should gather baseline information and suggested solutions from all key stakeholders, especially the grassroots and officials dealing with the grassroots, but also extending to stakeholders in, say, state enterprise and public sector procurement.

We should explore proposed solutions and create new ones, bringing in outside expertise. Solutions would be joint products of all sectors — not those of a given political sector — thus promoting widespread buy-in.

Problem-solving would involve many stakeholders. The junta should focus on keeping the peace, empowering opposing sides to form joint teams focused on specific problems, perhaps under NGO leadership.

Each team will include experts from various groups and inclusively represent all major political colours.

Focus on joint solutions to solve the problems that divide us. BURIN KANTABUTRA