October 7th, 2006, 07:24
Can Mad Mahathir, the former PM of Malaysia (and according to reviews of an authorised hagiography published while he was in office "one of the world's great thinkers and leading statesmen") pull off a peace deal in the South? Apparently SE Asia's resident megalomaniac has granted an interview to an Australian newspaper where he claims just that:
Secret peace plan for Thailand's south
Connie Levett, Herald Correspondent in Langkawi, Malaysia
October 7, 2006
THAILAND'S military rulers are examining a secret peace proposal with Islamic insurgent groups in Thailand's troubled southern provinces, where violence has cost more than 1700 lives since 2004. Mahathir Mohamed, the rambunctious former prime minister of Malaysia, has revealed that he has mediated the peace proposal over 14 months of secret dialogue between Islamic insurgent leaders and Thai generals on Langkawi island and in Kuala Lumpur. He handed the process over to Thai and Malaysian officials in August. The peace process in southern Thailand is further advanced than previously admitted, with the proposal signed by all the major insurgent groups to end the violence that has racked the three southern provinces.
Although the Thai Government has changed since the proposal was drafted, Thailand's military was always more involved in the process than the Thaksin Shinawatra government. The coup leader, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, appears committed to addressing the turmoil in the south - he cited it as one reason for grabbing power.
In an exclusive interview with the Herald, Dr Mahathir spoke for the first time about the peace plan. Significantly, there is no demand from the insurgents for independence or even autonomy, or for the local Malay language to be made an official second language in the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. The plan calls for an end to injustice, and focuses on the need for economic development, better educational opportunities and greater Muslim representation - up to 50 per cent - in provincial government administration. It also calls for a blanket amnesty for insurgents, the optional use of Malay in schools, and a regional body with which people can register complaints. In return, the rebels will cease all violence and surrender all arms.
Wan Kadir, the leader of the Bersatu insurgent group, described the plan as "significant". "Both sides now understand we can talk with the other. We can solve our problems peacefully."
The Thai interim prime minister, retired General Surayud Chulanont, has also promised to focus on the south, and in his first speech after taking office he identified a sense of injustice among southern Muslims as the root of the problem. However, this week General Surayud said it was too early for peace talks with the rebels. And news reports in Bangkok yesterday questioned Dr Mahathir's authority to head such negotiations as a former leader.
Secret peace plan for Thailand's south
Connie Levett, Herald Correspondent in Langkawi, Malaysia
October 7, 2006
THAILAND'S military rulers are examining a secret peace proposal with Islamic insurgent groups in Thailand's troubled southern provinces, where violence has cost more than 1700 lives since 2004. Mahathir Mohamed, the rambunctious former prime minister of Malaysia, has revealed that he has mediated the peace proposal over 14 months of secret dialogue between Islamic insurgent leaders and Thai generals on Langkawi island and in Kuala Lumpur. He handed the process over to Thai and Malaysian officials in August. The peace process in southern Thailand is further advanced than previously admitted, with the proposal signed by all the major insurgent groups to end the violence that has racked the three southern provinces.
Although the Thai Government has changed since the proposal was drafted, Thailand's military was always more involved in the process than the Thaksin Shinawatra government. The coup leader, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, appears committed to addressing the turmoil in the south - he cited it as one reason for grabbing power.
In an exclusive interview with the Herald, Dr Mahathir spoke for the first time about the peace plan. Significantly, there is no demand from the insurgents for independence or even autonomy, or for the local Malay language to be made an official second language in the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. The plan calls for an end to injustice, and focuses on the need for economic development, better educational opportunities and greater Muslim representation - up to 50 per cent - in provincial government administration. It also calls for a blanket amnesty for insurgents, the optional use of Malay in schools, and a regional body with which people can register complaints. In return, the rebels will cease all violence and surrender all arms.
Wan Kadir, the leader of the Bersatu insurgent group, described the plan as "significant". "Both sides now understand we can talk with the other. We can solve our problems peacefully."
The Thai interim prime minister, retired General Surayud Chulanont, has also promised to focus on the south, and in his first speech after taking office he identified a sense of injustice among southern Muslims as the root of the problem. However, this week General Surayud said it was too early for peace talks with the rebels. And news reports in Bangkok yesterday questioned Dr Mahathir's authority to head such negotiations as a former leader.