Thai Muslims want Mahathir involved in peace talks
Muslim separatist groups want former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad to continue mediating to resolve the unrest in the deep South.
Barisan Bersatu Kemerdekaan Pattani (Bersatu) president Wan Kadir Che Wan, who heads a coalition of five major separatist groups, said Dr Mahathir had helped create trust between 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. Wan also reiterated that the groups he led were loyal to King Bhumibol Adulyadej and were only against certain government policies. It was reported yesterday that His Majesty had backed a series of peace talks held by Dr Mahathir with rebel leaders from the Muslim-majority far South. Meanwhile, violence continued unabated in the region yesterday as three people were shot dead in separate attacks by suspected militants. A 42-year-old rubber factory worker was killed in a drive-by shooting in Yala, a 26-year-old Buddhist was gunned down in his house in Narathiwat, and a 55-year-old Muslim was shot dead in a drive-by shooting in Pattani. More than 1,700 people have been killed since January 2004. Most of the victims have been Muslims, including village chiefs, officials and suspected informants.
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