
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 3, 1991                   TAG: 9103030054
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BANGKOK, THAILAND                                LENGTH: Short

THAI LEADERS NAME INTERIM PRIME MINISTER

The new head of Thailand's caretaker government, named Saturday by coup leaders, promised to respect the military junta's interim constitution even though he might not agree with parts of it.

On Friday, the junta issued a constitution giving it dominance over the interim Cabinet that is supposed to lead Thailand to new elections.

New Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun told reporters he would name a mostly civilian government within three or four days. The Bangkok Post newspaper said junta leaders would get the key interior, defense and communications posts.

Anand, 58, a successful businessman and former diplomat, was appointed prime minister Saturday.

The junta led by Gen. Sunthorn Kongsompong toppled Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan's government on Feb. 23.

by CNB