OIC Calls For Dialogue To Solve Southern Conflict

By Jamaluddin Muhammad BANGKOK (Thailand), May 12 (Bernama) –- The Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) is encouraging dialogues between the Thai Government and all quarters, including those in disagreement with them in solving the eight-year-old southern conflict. OIC secretary-general's advisor, Ambassador Sayed Kassem El-Masry, said on Friday that such dialogues were important in reaching a compromise so that a lasting peace could take place in the southern region. "Based on history, if we leave the situation to continue without drastic solution, then, the situation will become harder to solve," he told a press conference at the end of his four-day visit to this country. Sayed Kassem is here at the invitation of the Thai Government in getting first-hand and accurate information on the southern conflict. He said, the sooner the problem was solved, the better. Thai Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow, in a joint press conference, said the Thai Government was engaging dialogues with all parties, including non-governmental organisations. However, he stressed that it was not negotiations with certain quarters because not a single group could claim they represented the people in the south. More than 5,000 people have died since suspected separatists resumed their armed campaign to seek independence for the three southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala, eight years ago. From his observation during the visit, Sayed Kassem said the heavy presence of military and roadblocks, as well as limited communication facilities for the public, had created "tension". However, he noted that the overall situation in the south had improved a lot recently, as compared to his first visit to the region in 2005. "There is a plan by the government to develop something meaningful towards resolution of the problems," he said, adding that it recognised the problem and tried to tackle its root causes. He said the root causes were ethnicity, and not Islam, as they wanted to have their own way of life, culture, language and administration of the region. Sihasak said the Thai Government had given some space for them, including locals, to run the region. Sayed Kassem reiterated OIC's stand on the southern conflict that it make contacts with the minority Muslims through the government. "We condemn any killing of innocent civilians from any quarters, including the military," he said. While accepting some limitation that OIC could do when dealing with the southern conflict as it had to respect the Thailand sovereignity, Sayed Kassem said OIC could offer advice when engaged with the Thai Government. "OIC, through the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), could contribute to the economic development of the southern region," he said. In the cultural and socio aspects, he said OIC could offer scholarships and teachers training programmes, among others. Sayed Kassem said, from his observation, the government looked at the problem from the security aspect only, the last time around, but has included the political, cultural and economic dimensions now. He said he would prepare the report of his visit for the Council of Ministers which would meet later this year. During the four-day visit, Sayed Kassem met representatives from the government, National Security Council, southern administrative council, Muslim community leaders and youth. He also visited the southern region. Thailand has held the observer status in the OIC since 1998, in the 57-nation grouping which was set up in 1970. -- BERNAMA