Bersatu call for Mahathir to continue brokering
Alor Star: Thai Muslim separatist groups want former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to continue mediating to resolve the unrest in the southern Thai provinces.
Barisan Bersatu Kemerdekaan Pattani (Bersatu) president Dr Wan Kadir Che Wan, who heads a coalition of five major separatist groups, said Dr Mahathir had helped create trust between Thai Muslim leaders and Thai authorities.
"Before this, the separatists and Thai authorities did not trust each other. Trust is the most important element in a peace process," he said, adding that with justice and equality, peace was attainable.
Dr Wan also reiterated that the groups he led were loyal to Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and that they were only against certain government policies.
It was reported yesterday that King Bhumibol had backed a series of peace talks held by Dr Mahathir with rebel leaders from Muslim-majority southern Thailand. by the Star/Asia News Network
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