Political instability prompts separatist groups to postpone peace talks

Southern separatist groups have postponed the next round of peace talks until December because they are not certain about the government’s political stability and about the fate of Lt-Gen Paradorn Pattanathabutr, secretary-general of National Security Council and head of the government’s negotiating team.

          The current protests against the blanket amnesty bill may finally force the government to dissolve the parliament as the last resort to resolve the political conflict, said an informed source, adding that the separatist groups prefer to wait and see the development of the political situation for a while before entering the new round of peace talks.

          As for Lt-Gen Paradorn, there is a possibility that he may have to relinquish his post to his predecessor, Mr Thawil Pliensri, after the Central Administrative Court recently ruled that the government’s removal of Mr Thawil from the NSC was illegal and that he should be reinstated.  The case is now pending in the Supreme Administrative Court after the government appealed against the verdict.

          Mr Thawil, according to the source, had made it be known that he is opposed to the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional.

          However, the new round of peace talks tentatively scheduled in December will involve more separatist groups besides the BRN.  There will be two representatives, one each for the Old Pulo and the New Pulo group.  The Old Pulo is to be represented by Baborsae or Lukman bin Lima whereas the New Pulo will be represented by Gusturee.

          Also, there will be one representative from the BIPP and four representatives from the BRN.

          Meanwhile, Malaysian facilitator, Mr Datuk Seri Ahmad Zamzamin Hashim, former director-general of Prime Minister’s Department, was in Bangkok to hold talks with Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Pomnok, Lt-Gen Paradorn and General Niphat Thonglek, defence permanent secretary on November 6.

          Zamzamin’s visit was not unusual and was meant for publicity to inform the public about the peace talks.

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Thanks : Photo from The Nation