Opponents of peace talks behind new attacks: Paradorn
Play
About 20 per cent of the insurgents based in the deep South do not agree with the ongoing peace dialogue with Thai security authorities, which could possibly explain the continuing violence over the past few days, National Security Council secretary-gener
Speaking after the first round of dialogue was completed in Malaysia, Paradorn said this 20 per cent were “highly volatile” and “hardcore opponents of the peace efforts”. However, he added, the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Coordinate (BRN) representatives present at the talks in Kuala Lumpur had agreed to come to an “understanding” with the active insurgents.
“Members of the BRN and the representatives account for most of the insurgents, but do not represent them unanimously,” he added.
There were two key issues brought up in the meeting – there must be “more justification for less violence” and the future talks should comprise of 15 people from all sides, with Malaysian authorities acting as the facilitator. The next session has been scheduled for April 29, though the venue has yet to be specified.
The three highly sensitive issues – Pattani being made a special administration zone, the withdrawal of troops from the deep South and the lifting of the emergency decree – were not on the agenda on Thursday, Paradorn said.
The Thursday meeting, held at a police-owned facility in Kuala Lumpur, lasted for 12 hours with six senior security officials, including Paradorn, representing Thai authorities and six people on BRN’s side. This is despite a previous agreement that there should be 15 representatives on either side.
He said a key issue of lifting a large number of insurgents or those facing arrest, from a national watch list had not been discussed, because it was a “highly sensitive issue” and would require time. Besides, he said, the six BRN members said they needed time to talk with insurgents into cutting down the violence and eventually ending their armed struggle.
“The de-listing issue is both sensitive and complicated, technically in legal and operational terms, and emotionally in terms of justification. All relevant agencies need to discuss if there is a case of it becoming a precondition [as wanted by the insurgents],” he said.
