Malaysia:BRN vows to reduce violence in Thai far South during Ramadan

BANGKOK, July 12 (TNA) Malaysian facilitator Dato' Seri Ahmad Zamzamin bin Hashim held a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital, on July 12 to announce a waited statement of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) insurgency movement on its vow to reduce violent incidents in Thai far South during Ramadan. According to the statement, Thai security authorities and the BRN group agreed during their 4th round of peace talks in Kuala Lumpur on June 13, 2013, that the Thai deep South would be free of violence during the 40-day Ramadan, from July 10- August 18, 2013. The agreement takes effect in Thailand's southernmost Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala Provinces, as well as five districts of adjacent Songkhla Province, including Nathawee, Sadao, Chana, Thepa and Saba Yoi. During the agreed period, Thai authorities are in charge of preventing crime and providing public safety, while the BRN group also ensuring public safety regardless of their backgrounds, races, religions and statuses. The BRN also proposed that the Thai government reduce searches, while it promised to refrain from creating violent incidents and launching attacks against government personnel and people and their properties. The statement said that cooperation to maintain public safety during Ramadan will prove the sincerity of both sides in the ongoing peace process, and that both sides believe the ongoing peace negotiations are the best solution, which will lead to sustainable peace and security in Thailand's southern border region. The statement indicated if any party breached the agreement, it would be condemned for opposing peace. Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Paradon Pattanatabutr, Secretary-General of Thailand's National Security Council (NSC), said if there was any violent incident in the ongoing Ramadan month of Muslim fast, a coordinator would inquire the BRN group. Regarding a fatal bombing against Thai soldiers in Yala's Raman District on July 11, the NSC chief noted the BRN group has admitted it was an act of its ally which has not yet been convinced to join the ongoing peace process with the Thai government, through the NSC. (TNA)