THAILAND'S military rulers are examining a secret peace proposal with Islamic insurgent groups in Thailand's troubled southern provinces, where violence has cost more than 1700 lives since 2004. Mahathir Mohamed, the rambunctious former prime minister of Malaysia, has revealed that he has mediated the peace proposal over 14 months of secret dialogue between Islamic insurgent leaders and Thai generals on Langkawi island and in Kuala Lumpur. He handed the process over to Thai and Malaysian officials in August.The peace process in southern Thailand is further advanced than previously admitted, with the proposal signed by all the major insurgent groups to end the violence that has racked the three southern provinces. Although the Thai Government has changed since the proposal was drafted, Thailand's military was always more involved in the process than the Thaksin Shinawatra government. The coup leader, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, appears committed to addressing the turmoil in the south - he cited it as one reason for grabbing power.
In an exclusive interview with the Herald, Dr Mahathir spoke for the first time about the peace plan. Significantly, there is no demand from the insurgents for independence or even autonomy, or for the local Malay language to be made an official second language in the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. The plan calls for an end to injustice, and focuses on the need for economic development, better educational opportunities and greater Muslim representation - up to 50 per cent - in provincial government administration. It also calls for a blanket amnesty for insurgents, the optional use of Malay in schools, and a regional body with which people can register complaints. In return, the rebels will cease all violence and surrender all arms.