Peace talk process is under way
Peace talk process has taken off the ground early December after the return home from a one-day visit to Malaysia by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha on December 1.
Some ground rules for the peace talk process have been laid during the discussion between Prime Minister and his Malaysian counterpart, Mr Najib Razak.
These ground rules include: end of violence or a ceasefire before the start of peace talk between the Thai government and separatist groups; inclusion of all separatist groups in peace talk; and addressing the demands or wishes of all It to Malaysia.
General Aksara was introduced to the Malaysian side as the chief negotiator of the Thai government whereas Malaysia still retains Dato Sri Ahmad Zamzamin Hazim, former intelligence chief, as the facilitator of the peace talk process.
Informed security sources said that General Aksara led a small delegation to Malaysia shortly after the prime minister’s visit. The delegation which also included Lt-Gen KittiInthasorn, commander of the 4th army corp, held discussions with MrZamzamin on the talk framework especially the terms of reference or scope of the talk.
It was reported that Malaysia had proposed the setting up of a talk steering office in the Deep South in which Malaysia will actively play a role.
It remains unclear whether the proposal was accepted or not because the official Thai negotiating team is yet to be formed.
Informed sources said that the TOR which will set the framework for peace talk and the scope of authority of the facilitator and the two parties in the conflict would have to be jointly drafted.
Besides General Aksara, other members of the Thai negotiating team are yet to be named although it is understood that they will come from the National Security Council, foreign and justice ministries, the army, the National Intelligence Agency and Internal Security Operations Command. General Aksara earlier made known that he would like commander of the Fourth Army Region to be part of his team.
The Pattani United Liberation Organisation which was excluded from the peace talk process from the start has shown keen interest to join the process. Its leader, Gusturi Mahkota, angnounced in its website page that that Pulo fully supports the peace talk process.
However, there are some interesting developments from the Thai government. That is an earlier condition by the government that the talk must be done within the framework of the Constitution has already been removed.
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Caption : General Aksara Kerdpol (on the first left hand side) during discussion between Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and Mr Najib Rasak in Malaysia on December 1.