The Pattani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo), along with leading Islamic thinkers, yesterday welcomed Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin's proposal for dialogue.

"Pulo stands firmly by its principle that the Pattani issue can be solved through negotiations provided there is sincere commitment from the government in handling the problem-solving process," said Pulo foreign affairs chief Kasturi Mahkota in a statement sent to The Nation from Sweden.

"If the Thai government is truly anxious to save lives, be they Thai settlers or Malays in the Pattani provinces, then it is obvious that the conflict must end immediately to secure the best interests of both," Kasturi said.

"The Thai commander-in-chief's idea will not be successful if it is simply a reaction to the 22 Yala bank bombings, without taking into account the roots of the conflict," he added.

Sonthi suggested the government reject a long-standing policy of not negotiating with Malay separatist organisations.

Dialogue would be a measure to bring about an end to violence in the region.

"It's about time the government changed its attitude," said Ahmed Somboon Bualuang, a respected retired academic from Pattani.

He said the Sonthi statement was a "positive" sign from Bangkok that went beyond an acknowledgement separatists were more than just "pathetic bandits", a term the government had used in reference to insurgents.

"In the past we only looked at 'security' in a narrow sense of the word. But such a statement showed there is a change in attitude," Ahmed said.

Nidir Waba, a leading cleric and chairman of private Islamic schools in the five southernmost provinces, said the situation must be taken step by step and input must be sought from the community, including religious leaders, academics, community leaders and government agencies.

"Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has made all kinds of promises in the past but nothing ever came of them," Nidir said.

"Essentially, regional Malays must be given more political and cultural space," Nidir said.

Pulo was a significant Malay separatist organisation which emerged in the late 1960s, then under the leadership of Tengku Bira Kotanila.

It reached prominence in the following decade as the organisation established representative offices in Middle East countries where it lobbied for support.

A blanket government amnesty for its membership crippled the group, as well as other organisations, like the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN).

Leaders of these groups were forced into exile in Europe and the Middle East.

In his statement Kasturi said a third party must arrange any negotiations.

He did not name any particular group but informed sources said European-based international non-governmental organisations could be potential candidates.

According to Kasturi, Pulo delegates must be regarded as officials and be afforded immunity from prosecution.

Don Pathan

The Nation

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