Response to BRN up to Paradorn now
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National Security Council (NSC) chief Paradorn Pattanatabut will make a final decision on how to respond to BRN's five demands, keeping in mind the recommendations of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), a highly placed source said.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, an Isoc official said yesterday that his agency had already prepared the response to BRN’s demand and handed them over to Paradorn.
Thailand has been engaged in a peace dialogue with Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) for several months now in a bid to end the unrest in the deep South.
These are recommendations put forward by the Isoc regarding the BRN conditions:
_ Getting Malaysia to serve as mediator: The incidents in the three Southern border provinces are an internal affair and Thailand does not want another country to intervene.
_ Thailand recognise BRN as a representative of Patani: The BRN needs to prove it can control all active groups in the South and find out if locals agree with letting the BRN represent them.
_ Make the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation an observer in the dialogue: The incidents in the three South border provinces are an internal affair and Thailand does not want outside intervention.
_ Demand for a special administrative zone and respect for identity: Thailand does not suppress self-expression and people are free to embrace any faith. As for setting up an administrative zone, the BRN only presents one part of the history, not all of it.
_ Suspects in security cases be released: Judicial procedures will be followed and the government cannot intervene.
Thai delegates are scheduled to meet BRN representatives in the third week of this month.
