Should The OIC Be Given A Chance To Help In Thailand's South?

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Should the OIC be given a chance to help in the South?

By The Nation

Many now see the Muslim group as a viable honest peace broker, but will the govt's ego come in the way?

The Senate subcommittee overseeing the problem in the southernmost provinces met recently to debate the need to reconsider outside help following the Foreign Ministry's rejection an offer from the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) to mediate between the government and the separatist movements.

A sort of compromise is being worked out that would permit the OIC a part in this peace process that may or may not involve the role of mediator in the conflict. Development, education and culture are some of the terms being tossed around at the moment for a sort of roadmap that would mark the entry point for OIC.

It is too early in the game to support an OIC initiative but at least the government should listen to it. According to one exiled source who took part in the meeting, the OIC said it was aware Thailand has worked with partners in the international community on the matter but maintained that its outfit was the most suitable to function as an honest broker in this conflict.

In fact, just about every organisation that surfaced to take up some sort of mediation role says the same thing - that they are an honest broker.

But this task is not just about sincerity; it's about what can be delivered. In this case, it's peace to the Malays of Pattani. Like all parties, the OIC needs to understand that good intention is not good policy. At the heart of the issue is the well-being of the people of Pattani, not the standing of this 56-member organisation that comes together because its members embrace the same religion.

The end to the violence in Thailand's deep South is still nowhere in sight. And now senior government and security officials are saying rogue elements on the ground are more aggressive than ever before, taking advantage of insurgency violence for personal and financial gain.

Like other parts of Thailand, especially along the border, syndicates are often connected with dubious local and national politicians who allow them to use their names for protection as they carry out illicit activities that include smuggling and drug trafficking. But the insurgency makes the deep South situation even more difficult to solve.

Some of the syndicates carry out targeted killings of suspected insurgents in exchange for the authorities turning a blind eye to their illicit activities.

Muslim syndicates on occasion tap into the network of militants, luring the poor ones in remote villages with money in exchange for carrying out attacks on private businesses and official targets.

Sources in the separatist movement have also expressed concern, saying the conflict is no longer black and white as it used to be. Sadly, it seems that everybody in this region has an axe to grind or score to settle with somebody.

But if the crime syndicate/rogue elements are riding on the back of the separatist conflict, then solving the historical tension between the Thai state and the Malays of Pattani would deny them a forum.

This is one reason many people in the country are calling on the government to change track for fear the situation in the deep South will continue to deteriorate.

The OIC just happens to be the latest in a long line of outfits who think they can make a difference. No matter how sound their approach may be, if Bangkok doesn't go along with the process and make concessions, nothing will change.

But the OIC appears to be serious. On September 30-October 1, they held simultaneous meetings with Patani Malay exiled leaders in Kuala Lumpur and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. OIC secretary-general Prof Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu chaired the meeting in Jeddah, while Talal A Daous, the organisation's director for the Muslim Minorities and Communities group, chaired the gathering in Kuala Lumpur.

There is concern among certain quarters in the Thai government that Malaysia is pulling the OIC's strings from behind. If that's the case, Bangkok should not be overly concerned. The two governments worked closely during the Surayud Chulanont administration. During his visit to Yala in May 2007, Surayud thanked the Malaysian government for facilitating these meetings with separatist leaders. Malaysian officials often referred to their cooperation during his administration as a good working model for the two countries.

Today, the Abhisit administration, in spite of vowing to tackle the conflict in the South, appears to be taking its sweet time, rejecting offers from outsiders. Unfortunately, many policy-makers equate taking help from outsiders as an admission of defeat. Their ego, it seems, is more important than the lives of the soldiers they send to the dangers of the deep South.

-- The Nation 2010-12-27

[dave_boo]

Isn't asking the OIC to mediate kinda like asking the fox to guard the henhouse?

After all member states have been shown to support terrorists in other countries. And all those links are just about Saudi Arabia...

[phetaroi]

This post sort of makes me laugh:

1. "The end to the violence in Thailand's deep South is still nowhere in sight." Could that be because the government at best has done nothing serious to improve the situation, and at worst (depending on who was in power) aggravated it?

2. "And now senior government and security officials are saying rogue elements on the ground...[are] taking advantage of insurgency violence for personal and financial gain." Imagine that. A Thai person taking advantage of a situation for personal gain? Unheard of, isn't it?

3. "Some of the syndicates carry out targeted killings of suspected insurgents in exchange for the authorities turning a blind eye to their illicit activities." Oops. What's this? A little honesty about the way things work?

4. "Their ego, it seems, is more important than the lives of the soldiers they send to the dangers of the deep South." Yup.

[jayjay0]

This post sort of makes me laugh:

1. "The end to the violence in Thailand's deep South is still nowhere in sight." Could that be because the government at best has done nothing serious to improve the situation, and at worst (depending on who was in power) aggravated it?

2. "And now senior government and security officials are saying rogue elements on the ground...[are] taking advantage of insurgency violence for personal and financial gain." Imagine that. A Thai person taking advantage of a situation for personal gain? Unheard of, isn't it?

3. "Some of the syndicates carry out targeted killings of suspected insurgents in exchange for the authorities turning a blind eye to their illicit activities." Oops. What's this? A little honesty about the way things work?

4. "Their ego, it seems, is more important than the lives of the soldiers they send to the dangers of the deep South." Yup.

You might want to bone up a bit on what is going on in the south. In the last two years they have been able to bring some peace there. Not as much as you or I would want but to put them down for it is a little out of line.

You also infer that it is a Thai problem It most certainly is not it is a Muslim problem.

That is why the OIC offered to help.

[jombom]

My understanding is, - - - - that it is not an Islam problem ------ it is an independence issue.

A similar problem exists in Malaysia, in the province of Kelantan. Both were independent sultanates until approx 100 years ago.

And the ''spin'' goes on ------- insurgents instead of freedom fighters etc etc.

[dave_boo]

My understanding is, - - - - that it is not an Islam problem ------ it is an independence issue.

A similar problem exists in Malaysia, in the province of Kelantan. Both were independent sultanates until approx 100 years ago.

And the ''spin'' goes on ------- insurgents instead of freedom fighters etc etc.

Just like it wasn't an Islamic problem in Kosovo, Darfur, Central Nigeria, Phillipines, Gaza/West Bank, East Timor, Uganada, and Kashmir?

And 'freedom figher' is just a pretting up of insurgent. The real litmus test as to whether or not they can be called 'freedom fighter' is to ascertain if they're fighting for improved conditions; you wouldn't call the implementation of sharia an improved condition for the non-Muslims would you?

[phetaroi]

You might want to bone up a bit on what is going on in the south. In the last two years they have been able to bring some peace there. Not as much as you or I would want but to put them down for it is a little out of line.

You also infer that it is a Thai problem It most certainly is not it is a Muslim problem.

That is why the OIC offered to help.

Perhaps you and I define peace a little differently. From Wikipedia:

"On 2 January 2010, three soldiers and 3 civilians were injured by roadside bombs in Yala at 10 am in Bannang Sata district, Yala Province.[122]

On 13 January 2010, Mayo district chief Wirat Prasetto was seriously injured along with ten other civilians when a bomb detonated at a pier in Pattani province. The bombing is being blamed on Muslim insurgents. One person was killed in the explosion.[123]

On 1 April 2010, suspect insurgents shot dead six villagers in Narathiwat Province. Ten policemen and soldiers were also wounded when a roadside bomb exploded as they were traveling to the scene of the shootings.[124]

On 22 May 2010, two female villagers were killed in a drive-by shooting in Yala Province by suspected separatist militants.[125]

On 28 May 2010, two were killed and 52 injured in two bomb attacks in Yala"

And, total related deaths in 2010 thus far = 310...and that's only through August. That' just about 40 people every month just from separatist violence.

BTW, in 2009 (since you mention the last two years), total deaths related to southern unrest = 450.

And since you say, "they have been able to bring some peace there," what specific and significant things has the government done that you are so impressed with?

Edited December 27, 2010 by phetaroi

[jayjay0]

You might want to bone up a bit on what is going on in the south. In the last two years they have been able to bring some peace there. Not as much as you or I would want but to put them down for it is a little out of line.

You also infer that it is a Thai problem It most certainly is not it is a Muslim problem.

That is why the OIC offered to help.

Perhaps you and I define peace a little differently. From Wikipedia:

"On 2 January 2010, three soldiers and 3 civilians were injured by roadside bombs in Yala at 10 am in Bannang Sata district, Yala Province.[122]

On 13 January 2010, Mayo district chief Wirat Prasetto was seriously injured along with ten other civilians when a bomb detonated at a pier in Pattani province. The bombing is being blamed on Muslim insurgents. One person was killed in the explosion.[123]

On 1 April 2010, suspect insurgents shot dead six villagers in Narathiwat Province. Ten policemen and soldiers were also wounded when a roadside bomb exploded as they were traveling to the scene of the shootings.[124]

On 22 May 2010, two female villagers were killed in a drive-by shooting in Yala Province by suspected separatist militants.[125]

On 28 May 2010, two were killed and 52 injured in two bomb attacks in Yala"

And, total related deaths in 2010 thus far = 310...and that's only through August. That' just about 40 people every month just from separatist violence.

BTW, in 2009 (since you mention the last two years), total deaths related to southern unrest = 450.

And since you say, "they have been able to bring some peace there," what specific and significant things has the government done that you are so impressed with?

They have been able to cut the number of troops in active combat with the insurgents. There is of course the dedicated trouble makers quite capable of many murders. Today the population it self is beginning to see that the soldiers are not there enemy. The army has made moves towards improving there life's. There is a incredible amount of work to be done and considering it is Muslim's to work with it is a steep up hill climb. Go back to the threads on the 23rd. You will see where they are talking about lifting the Emergency decree in three provenience's. Go back even farther and you will find where they have done a awful lot in the last two years for the civilians.

In short they have been moving forward not at the pace you or I would want both being unreasonable but I still want it. I refuse to put my head where the sun don't shine and deny it.

You might want to look at what is happening in the deep south rather than read only statistics that prove what you want to prove. The civilian population no longer fears for there life when they see a soldier.

Edited December 28, 2010 by jayjay0

[phetaroi]

They have been able to cut the number of troops in active combat with the insurgents. There is of course the dedicated trouble makers quite capable of many murders. Today the population it self is beginning to see that the soldiers are not there enemy. The army has made moves towards improving there life's. There is a incredible amount of work to be done and considering it is Muslim's to work with it is a steep up hill climb. Go back to the threads on the 23rd. You will see where they are talking about lifting the Emergency decree in three provenience's. Go back even farther and you will find where they have done a awful lot in the last two years for the civilians.

In short they have been moving forward not at the pace you or I would want both being unreasonable but I still want it. I refuse to put my head where the sun don't shine and deny it.

You might want to look at what is happening in the deep south rather than read only statistics that prove what you want to prove. The civilian population no longer fears for there life when they see a soldier.

With the background of about 40 people per month being killed in the separatist violence, I will say again -- what SPECIFIC things has the government been doing that you are so enthusiastic about?

[jayjay0]

They have been able to cut the number of troops in active combat with the insurgents. There is of course the dedicated trouble makers quite capable of many murders. Today the population it self is beginning to see that the soldiers are not there enemy. The army has made moves towards improving there life's. There is a incredible amount of work to be done and considering it is Muslim's to work with it is a steep up hill climb. Go back to the threads on the 23rd. You will see where they are talking about lifting the Emergency decree in three provenience's. Go back even farther and you will find where they have done a awful lot in the last two years for the civilians.

In short they have been moving forward not at the pace you or I would want both being unreasonable but I still want it. I refuse to put my head where the sun don't shine and deny it.

You might want to look at what is happening in the deep south rather than read only statistics that prove what you want to prove. The civilian population no longer fears for there life when they see a soldier.

With the background of about 40 people per month being killed in the separatist violence, I will say again -- what SPECIFIC things has the government been doing that you are so enthusiastic about?

Being as you insist on puting a number of people killed as a measure of peace. I will oblige you.

They have held it to under 100 people being killed. That should make you happy.

Your reasoning is flawed it only takes one person to kill 40 a month. That in no way means four provinces are at war. Just one Overly devout Muslim.

There has been a lot written here on TV about the progress being made in the south. If you wish to learn what is happening down there just go back on the threads here in TV. I will not search TV for the facts you have at your disposal.

I will not reply to you any more I find it a waste of time to discuss peace by the number of people killed and leave out the civilian population. You have access here on TV to see what has been going on there for the last two years.

In parting I will refer you to the fact it is not only soldiers that are being killed The Good Muslim's are killing there own people also. Hint there is a large contingent of soldiers guarding them. It is unfortunate that it is happening but it is the Muslim way.

Edited December 28, 2010 by jayjay0

[phetaroi]

They have been able to cut the number of troops in active combat with the insurgents. There is of course the dedicated trouble makers quite capable of many murders. Today the population it self is beginning to see that the soldiers are not there enemy. The army has made moves towards improving there life's. There is a incredible amount of work to be done and considering it is Muslim's to work with it is a steep up hill climb. Go back to the threads on the 23rd. You will see where they are talking about lifting the Emergency decree in three provenience's. Go back even farther and you will find where they have done a awful lot in the last two years for the civilians.

In short they have been moving forward not at the pace you or I would want both being unreasonable but I still want it. I refuse to put my head where the sun don't shine and deny it.

You might want to look at what is happening in the deep south rather than read only statistics that prove what you want to prove. The civilian population no longer fears for there life when they see a soldier.

With the background of about 40 people per month being killed in the separatist violence, I will say again -- what SPECIFIC things has the government been doing that you are so enthusiastic about?

Being as you insist on puting a number of people killed as a measure of peace. I will oblige you.

They have held it to under 100 people being killed. That should make you happy.

Your reasoning is flawed it only takes one person to kill 40 a month. That in no way means four provinces are at war. Just one Overly devout Muslim.

There has been a lot written here on TV about the progress being made in the south. If you wish to learn what is happening down there just go back on the threads here in TV. I will not search TV for the facts you have at your disposal.

I will not reply to you any more I find it a waste of time to discuss peace by the number of people killed and leave out the civilian population. You have access here on TV to see what has been going on there for the last two years.

In parting I will refer you to the fact it is not only soldiers that are being killed The Good Muslim's are killing there own people also. Hint there is a large contingent of soldiers guarding them. It is unfortunate that it is happening but it is the Muslim way.

Just as I thought, you can't list specific government actions that have led to any decrease in the violence. Based on your EVIDENCE, the decline in violence could be a temporary lull...which has happened at times in the past, both short term and long term.