Thai 'red shirts' Early vote not early enough

BANGKOK - Anti-government protesters in Thailand objected on Tuesday to proposed November elections, casting in doubt a government peace overture to end to a two-month crisis that has paralyzed the economy.

Protest leaders, who had demanded the government call a poll immediately, said they had agreed to enter into a reconciliation process proposed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva but took issue with his offer for a general election on Nov. 14.

They said Abhisit did not have authority to set an election date and urged him instead to propose a timetable for dissolving parliament - a technicality analysts said could give the protesters an opportunity to seek a better offer.