[Tlc] T-Southern violence/peace

[justinm at ucr.edu]

Forwarded from Al Valentine.
Thanks,
justin

Muslim separatist group says it seeks peaceful solution to conflict in southern Thailand
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/09/asia/AS-GEN-Thailand-Southern-Violence.php

BANGKOK, Thailand:One of the major groups associated with a Muslim separatist insurgency in southern Thailand said it wants to work with the Thai government to find a peaceful solution to the fighting.  A statement posted Tuesday on the Web site of PULO, the Pattani United Liberation Organization, said the group 'is fully committed to finding a peaceful resolu! tion of the conflict' that has claimed about 3,000 lives since 2004.

Drive-by shootings and bombings have become an almost daily occurrence in Thailand's southernmost Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces, the only Muslim-majority areas of the Buddhist country.

The statement, which was signed by PULO founder Kabir Abdul Rahman, said he gives 'full support and blessing to those who represent PULO engaged in official dialogue with the Royal Thai Government.'  'PULO has no wish to perpetuate violence and is willing to listen to proposals from the Royal Thai Government to build confidence, reduce violence and eventually agree on a lasting solution to the conflict,'the statement said.

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said last month his government is not holding talks with any separatists, but at least two insurgent groups are in discussions with mediators in Geneva. He appeared to rule out any talks.

Past Thai governments have also avoided op! en negotiations with the rebels, though some initial contacts were initiated.

According to the Thai military and independent scholars studying the conflict, the insurgency is carried out by a loose, secretive alliance of several groups. Their common goal is believed to be independence or autonomy for the region, though no comprehensive statement of their goals has been made public.

It is unclear whether the other groups share PULO's positions.

Thailand in the early 20th century annexed the independent sultanate of Pattani. The residents in the former sultanate, now mostly Thailand's three southernmost provinces, have long complained of being treated as second-class citizens, with inadequate educational and job opportunities.

The government has emphasized the use of military force to quash the insurgency, but has had little success in ending the violence.

______________
Dr. Justin McDaniel
Dept. of Religious Studies
2617 Humanities Building
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-4530
justinm at ucr.edu