Long-term Plan To Stop Violence In South

[george]

Long-term plan to stop vilolence in South

BANGKOK: -- Thai Army Chief and head of the Council for National Security (CNS) Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin has ordered the Fourth Army Region commander Lt-Gen. Viroj Buacharoon to draft a long-term plan to counter and stop the ongoing violence in Thailand's southernmost provinces, according to Army Chief of Staff Gen Montri Sangkhasap.

Gen Montri said that at the meeting of army commanders that Gen Sonthi had reiterated Gen Viroj to draft the long-term plan that lead to the peace in the southern region.

"The plan will include the adjustment of strategies, step up patrol missions, and increase security measures to ensure the safety of Buddhist communities, teachers and students," he said.

Gen Montri said that village volunteers will have an expanded role in taking care of the safety of their own communities, and that the military would only provide supplementary forces.

The Army Chief of Staff said that adjustments to the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) was expected to be completed this week.

"Representatives from the Immigration Bureau and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will be included in the ISOC," he said.

Gen Sonthi will present the changes to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and a press conference will be held to explain the new arrangements.

Gen Montri said the prime minister wanted ISOC to start operation on January 1, but as a matter of practicality it had already begun its mission to bring peace to the southern provinces.

--TNA 2006-12-05

[Mid]

at least there are some not thinking in the terms of three month deadlines .............

[Scott]

I always enjoy it when the role of making "peace" falls on the shoulders of those who are trained to do "war." The military thinks of things that they can control with military force and in this instance, that won't necessarily be effective.

Some suggestions:

1. Limited autonomy and elected representation from within the region on some sort of governing body. This makes these people the "target" for insurgents and they are less likely to want to eliminate their own. They are also more likely to know who is behind it. It also brings the locals within the fold of government.

The group has to have legitimate power to either make laws or recommend laws that can be quickly enacted.

2. Economic stimulation that is geared toward employment/training for those young males that are most likely involved in attacks or likely to be recruited. This is going to be expensive, but it needs to be done. Employment opportunities will need to be there when they finish.

3. The government must be willing to wait for results. Nothing will happen quickly.