Thailand links terror to neighbours

THAI Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has linked militants responsible for violence in Thailand's south with Indonesian and Malaysian Islamic extremists, fuelling fears the domestic insurgency has connections to global terrorism.

In comments that prompted an angry reaction from Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, Mr Thaksin said the militants were trained in the jungles of the northern Malaysian state of Kelantan.

"They had recruited prospective youths and trained them in the jungles of Kelantan," Mr Thaksin said in his regular weekend radio address.

But he also said the violence was influenced by "extremists in Indonesia", although he gave no details about whether the Indonesian-based regional terror group Jemaah Islamiah was involved. "These strange acts have been learned from extremists in Indonesia. Many are students who have studied (religion) in Indonesia."

The comments mark the first time Mr Thaksin has suggested the influence of Indonesian militants. While many analysts fear groups such as al-Qa'ida and JI may capitalise on the unrest in Thailand's south, most agree there is no direct evidence of their involvement.

Thai officials have regularly claimed the separatists shelter in Malaysia after committing violence in Thailand's three troubled southern provinces, but this is the first time the Prime Minister has claimed the militants have trained in Malaysian camps.

It is unclear whether his comments were designed to divert public attention away from details of an independent inquiry commissioned by the Government into the deaths of 78 Muslim protesters who were herded into the back of army trucks, where they suffocated, after a demonstration in October. The inquiry, which handed its report to Mr Thaksin on Friday, found the regional army commander, Lieutenant-General Pisarn Wattawongkiri, and other senior police and military figures were responsible for the decisions that led to the deaths, but stopped short of recommending any dismissals.

The full report into the incident in the southern city of Tak Bai was not made public.

Southern violence has been part of the region for decades, but has escalated this year and is creating one of the biggest problems for Mr Thaksin's Government ahead of a February 6 election.

Although Mr Thaksin said there was no evidence the Indonesian or Malaysian governments were involved, his remarks prompted an angry response from Mr Abdullah.

"I am shocked over such a statement. If Thaksin has such information, he should convey this to Malaysia through diplomatic channels," Malaysian state news agency Bernama quoted Mr Abdullah as saying. "We question Thaksin's motive for making the statement."

Last week, Thai police arrested four schoolteachers in the southern province of Yala, accusing the men of co-ordinating the violence that has killed more than 500 people this year.

The teachers are expected to be charged with treason, but can be held for seven days without charge. They are alleged to be members of Barison Revolusi National Coordinate, a previously unknown organisation that allegedly masterminded the violence.

Earlier this month in Malaysia, an official from the ruling United Malays National Organisation said the Malaysian Muslim Welfare Associations' branch in Kelantan had sent 120,000 ringgit ($41,400) to the outlawed Pattani United Liberation Organisation. Kelantan is the only Malaysian state ruled by Islamic opposition party Parti Islam Semalaysia. The son of the party's spiritual leader is in jail for alleged involvement in terrorist activities, accusations PAS officials say are politically motivated.

Somehow I suspected airdropping origami birds would't fix the problem.

Not even my father-in-law's very Thai wife believed bombing the Muslims with paper birds might melt their cold murderous hearts. She suggested stakes with very sharp points might work a little better.

It is unclear whether his comments were designed to divert public attention away from details of an independent inquiry commissioned by the Government into the deaths of 78 Muslim protesters who were herded into the back of army trucks, where they suffocated, after a demonstration in October. . . . Southern violence has been part of the region for decades, but has escalated this year . . . Last week, Thai police arrested four schoolteachers in the southern province of Yala, accusing the men of co-ordinating the violence that has killed more than 500 people this year. . . . "I am shocked over such a statement. If Thaksin has such information, he should convey this to Malaysia through diplomatic channels," Malaysian state news agency Bernama quoted Mr Abdullah as saying. . . . Earlier this month in Malaysia, an official from the ruling United Malays National Organisation said the Malaysian Muslim Welfare Associations' branch in Kelantan had sent 120,000 ringgit ($41,400) to the outlawed Pattani United Liberation Organisation.

The usual non-plausible deniability from Malaysia, except of course, the terrorists somehow do get the money and support to continue terrorizing and killing Thais..

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