 Representatives of terrorist insurgent groups demanded Thai authorities release all prisoners convicted in southern attacks and void arrest warrants issued for suspected terrorists militants during the first round of formal peace talks in Kuala Lumpur Thursday.
National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanatabut said Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) spokesman Hassan Taib had submitted a demand for an amnesty for terrorists insurgents which encompassed four points: To withdraw arrest warrants against suspected terrorists insurgents; to release prisoners convicted in southern violence cases; to clear pending cases against suspected terrorists insurgents; and revoke a rebel suspects blacklist.
Lt Gen Paradorn said he rejected the demand to release prisoners, but that the other points would be discussed with the Justice Ministry and other relevant agencies.
The NSC chief said he called on the terrorists insurgents to refrain from attacking civilian targets. In response, Mr Taib promised to try and convince other terrorists separatist groups to curb violence. However, Mr Taib admitted it would be difficult to persuade terrorists insurgent groups opposing the peace talks to scale down their attacks.
The terrorists separatists were represented by six members of the BRN Coordinate, BRN Congress and Pattani United Liberation Organisation (PULO). |