BRN wants to continue peace talks with NSC

BANGKOK, September 10 (TNA) - Thailand's National Security Council (NSC) says the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) wants to proceed with ongoing peace negotiations with Thai authorities and insists that its demands do not violate Thailand's Constitution. NSC Secretary-General Lieutenant General Paradorn Pattanatabutr told reporters on Tuesday that Thai authorities have received written explanations covering more than 30 pages from the BRN insurgency movement, elaborating on their five demands and insisting that its demands do not breach the Thai Charter. According to the written statement, Lieutenant General Paradorn revealed, the BRN said it wants to proceed with the ongoing peace talks with the Thai authorities. Lieutenant General Paradorn noted that Thai authorities concerned are studying the BRN's explanations and have had people’s organizations and academics to study them as well, with the BRN's written statement expected to be discussed during the next round of talks between the NSC and the BRN, which is likely to be held next month. Regarding reports on Malaysian authorities' recent arrest of a group of Thai people with a big lot of war weapons at a restaurant in the Kedah State, the NSC chief assumed, meanwhile, that the arrest may be linked with illegal arms trade or insurgency in the Thai far South. The NSC chief acknowledged, however, that the suspects were linked with some violent incidents in the southernmost Thai region. Asked whether Thailand will seek their extradition, the NSC secretary-general indicated the decision rests with Malaysian authorities. (TNA)