| Oh goody, another peace processor ... |
The head of an umbrella organization for Thailand's southern separatists is seeking a formal dialogue with Bangkok, the Bangkok Post reported Saturday. Bersatu incorporates several separatist movements, and Chairman Wan Abdul Kadir Che Man has proposed discussions with the federal government after numerous bloody clashes in the south of Thailand. Wan Abdul Kadir said he believed the ongoing violence in southern Thailand stemmed from political problems and could be solved only through political dialogue. He said the Thai government has adopted the wrong approach in trying the solve the problem through talks with religious leaders, since the conflict is actually a political one. "If a political dialogue is conducted between separatists and representatives from the government, it could lead to a solution to the problems," he said.
He dismissed speculation that troubles in the South were linked to Muslim terrorist groups, such as Kampulan Mujahideen, Malaysia and Indonesia's Jemaah Islamiyah. Thai intelligence officials blame Bersatu for recent violence in the south. |