Thailand, Muslim rebels aim for Ramadan peace

[webfact]

Thailand, Muslim rebels aim for Ramadan peace

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13, 2013 (AFP) - The Thai government and Muslim rebels have agreed to try to curb violence during Ramadan, a Malaysian official said Friday, marking a new step towards ending nearly a decade of conflict.

An insurgency in the Muslim-dominated region has claimed more than 5,700 lives since 2004 but talks between the Thai authorities and some rebel groups including the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) have brought tentative hopes of peace.

Malaysia is acting as a facilitator for the negotiations. But despite several rounds of talks since March, attacks in the region have occurred almost daily.

Mediator Ahmad Zamzamin Hashim said that both parties had "reached a common understanding to work towards a violence-free Ramadan".

Under the "Ramadan Peace Initiative", Thai security forces would avoid "aggressive actions" while the BRN would not engage in "armed attack, bombing and ambush" against Thai troops and the public, he said.

"This is a stepping stone to what we want to achieve in the future. If there are no incidents, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It will be a precedent, a stepping stone," he told reporters.

The deal is for a 40-day period from July 10 to August 18 and will cover the southern provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla, he said.

Under the plan, Thai authorities have removed a number of roadblocks and the military has withdrawn its personnel from some villages in a bid to ease tension.

Thailand's National Security Council chief and lead peace negotiator Paradorn Pattanatabut welcomed the rebels' pledge although he noted that some splinter groups were opposed to dialogue.

"But I'm convinced that the BRN will be able to curb violence," he told AFP in Bangkok. "In the past they never came out and made a clear announcement of their goal."

Despite four rounds of peace talks since March, continued bloodshed has raised questions over how much control rebel leaders have over radical militants.

In one of the deadliest attacks, eight soldiers were killed when a roadside blast ripped through their truck last month.

The BRN in April made a series of public demands including "liberation" from the kingdom of Thailand.

Thai negotiators have raised the idea of creating some form of locally elected administration in the region, but full autonomy for the south remains taboo as the constitution insists the Buddhist-majority kingdom must not be divided.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-07-13

[webfact]

BRN backs Ramadan peace push
The Nation

KUALA LUMPUR: -- Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), which is believed to have authority to command some insurgents in Thailand, has announced a break in violence in the South for a 40-day period associated with Ramadan, a much-awaited statement, read out yesterday in Kuala Lumpur by a senior Malaysian official, said.

The period, which includes additional Muslim holidays, runs from July 10 to August 18, although Ramadan this year runs from July 8 to August 7. The areas to be free from violence are Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and five districts in Songkhla, said Samsamin Bin Hazim, chief facilitator for the Malaysian government, which hosted three official meetings between Thai officials and BRN members. The five districts in Songkhla are Na Thawi, Sadao, Saba Yoi, Thepha and Chana.

The statement says the next round of the meetings will be after Ramadan ends.

It stipulated that both parties believed that the ongoing dialogue was the best solution to bring peace and prosperity to Thailand's far South. Any party that violates these conditions shall be condemned by all Thais across the country. Members of both parties will maintain best efforts to honour the peace conditions and mutual understanding about them to achieve the objectives during the holy period, it said.

Thai authorities are, as agreed, responsible for security operations in those areas and BRN is committed to establishing safety during the period, along with prosperity of local residents regardless of their race, culture or religion, the statement said.

The Thai authorities are obliged to scale down raids and security blockades.

To reciprocate, BRN will not resort to violent acts, including armed attacks, bombs, or ambushes on officials or civilians. BRN "will try its best" not to cause property damage or conduct attacks.

National Security Council secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabutr said officials would not be "careless" during the period, but he was more optimistic as a whole. He said BRN would come under pressure if violence occurred despite their vows.

He said BRN acknowledged that a bomb by a railroad in Raman in Yala on Thursday was the work of insurgents opposed to the peace talks.


-- The Nation 2013-07-13

[sunshine51]

One doesn't have to be able to aim when using an IED.

[sonar6ca]

try to curb violence during Ramadan

How nice of them, we should be thankful for their enormous effort. Whoever believes this BS must be mighty stupid or plain ignorant.

[tomross46]

All this does is give the forces time to resupply and regroup and plan for the next move. I saw the same in 1968 Tet, in Vietnam. I have also seen it in Iraq and Afghanistan. I still suggest the type of operation used by the SAS and VAT69 in the 50's and 60's.

[glegolo]

Yeah these muslims, ask them nice if they can let go of killing during their own holidays... And they are welcome to start all over again after the end of the holidays 18th of august.

Glegolo