ID :
93720
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 10:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/93720
The shortlink copeid
SIGNFICANT VISIT TO NARATHIWAT BY NAJIB, ABHISIT ON WEDNESDAY
By D.Arul Rajoo
BANGKOK, Dec 8 (Bernama)-- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that his visit to southern Thailand with Najib Tun Razak on Wednesday is very significant and will send strong signals that both countries want to see peace in the region and an end to the violence there.
In an exclusive interview with Bernama at his official residence, Ban
Pitsanulok, here Monday, he said that the visit would send a strong signal that
both countries did not condone violence.
Abhisit said he was confident that both Thailand and Malaysia could address
the needs of the local people in the southern Thai provinces.
"Malaysia is a good friend that would be able to assist Thailand," he said.
The Malaysian prime minister, who is due to arrive in the Thai capital
Monday night to lead a Malaysian delegation to the Fourth Annual Consultation at
Government House here on Tuesday, will travel together with Abhisit to
Narathiwat on Wednesday.
More than 3,500 people have died since separatist groups resumed their armed
campaign in January 2005 to seek independence for the three Muslim-majority
provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat which border Malaysia.
Asked why he had declined Najib's proposal that Bangkok consider giving
autonomy to the restive provinces, Abhisit said the reaction reported in the
media was not an accurate summary of their meeting.
He said both of them had discussed the matter and reached a good
understanding when they met during the Apec leaders' meeting in Singapore last
month.
"I said clearly that it is very important for the local people (in southern
Thailand) to have their needs registered and that we respond to their needs," he
said, adding that that meant that they would be able to participate in local
government and have their say in the future.
He said there was already a system of government which focused on
de-centralisation, and "I think that is what Prime Minister Najib supports."
Unfortunately, Abhisit said, the word autonony meant different things to
different people.
"When I read the (Najib) interview (with the Thai media) and when I was
asked to comment, I said that if autonomy means decentralisation, if it means
responding to special needs, we are happy to do that," he said.
Najib's suggestion on the autonomy was met with resistance here as many
Thais considered it a form of independence.
Abhisit said the people there already had opportunities to elect local
authorities at the provincial, municipal and sub-district levels.
"Now if there are discussions on whether the form of local authorities might
be changed, that is obviously open to discussion. It can be done through the
election process, just like in other areas like Koh Samui where they are also
thinking of changing (the selection process of) the local authorities. We also
are receptive to those ideas," he said.
Stressing that his government was doing everything possible to end the
southern conflict, he said the current government had put in a new direction in
policy, with emphasis on development and justice.
"We have been steadily implementing what we call the special economic
zones. A lot of investments will be made. We have clear targets in terms of
raising income opportunities for the local people there."
In terms of justice, Abhisit said, the government was about to revamp the
administrative structure as well as trying to change the legal regime that used
special laws in related areas.
"We will need to have some time and patience to build trust and prove that
we are sincere about this new approach," he said.
On his working relationship with Najib and the overall ties between the two
countries over the last 52 years, Abhisit said both of them came to office
within the last one year and both were very focused in making sure that the
relationship would be enhanced and would blossom further.
He also said that there was great potential for improved bilateral ties in
economic cooperation and other forms of cooperation.
"So far, we have a very good working relationship and we think we can make
sure that both our peoples can benefit from from the work that we do," he said.
Abhisit, who became prime minister on Dec 17 last year, said there were
challenges for both countries in terms of security, such as transboundary issues
that needed to be addressed jointly.
He felt that there should be increased cooperation between Thailand and
Malaysia in tackling human trafficking, drugs and crime.
He said the Thai government appreciated Malaysia's assistance through the 3E
(education, employment and entrepreneurship) programme and there was also a
possibility of expanding the scheme which was originally aimed at developing
the southern border provinces.
"By visiting the area (in southern Thailand) together, we will be able to
see how we are making progress in terms of catering to the special needs of the
local people in education and the econony," said Abhisit, who will take Najib
to the Att Arkiah Islamiah Institute, which has over 4,000 students and a
co-corriculum in both Islamic studies and modern subjects.
-- BERNAMA
BANGKOK, Dec 8 (Bernama)-- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that his visit to southern Thailand with Najib Tun Razak on Wednesday is very significant and will send strong signals that both countries want to see peace in the region and an end to the violence there.
In an exclusive interview with Bernama at his official residence, Ban
Pitsanulok, here Monday, he said that the visit would send a strong signal that
both countries did not condone violence.
Abhisit said he was confident that both Thailand and Malaysia could address
the needs of the local people in the southern Thai provinces.
"Malaysia is a good friend that would be able to assist Thailand," he said.
The Malaysian prime minister, who is due to arrive in the Thai capital
Monday night to lead a Malaysian delegation to the Fourth Annual Consultation at
Government House here on Tuesday, will travel together with Abhisit to
Narathiwat on Wednesday.
More than 3,500 people have died since separatist groups resumed their armed
campaign in January 2005 to seek independence for the three Muslim-majority
provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat which border Malaysia.
Asked why he had declined Najib's proposal that Bangkok consider giving
autonomy to the restive provinces, Abhisit said the reaction reported in the
media was not an accurate summary of their meeting.
He said both of them had discussed the matter and reached a good
understanding when they met during the Apec leaders' meeting in Singapore last
month.
"I said clearly that it is very important for the local people (in southern
Thailand) to have their needs registered and that we respond to their needs," he
said, adding that that meant that they would be able to participate in local
government and have their say in the future.
He said there was already a system of government which focused on
de-centralisation, and "I think that is what Prime Minister Najib supports."
Unfortunately, Abhisit said, the word autonony meant different things to
different people.
"When I read the (Najib) interview (with the Thai media) and when I was
asked to comment, I said that if autonomy means decentralisation, if it means
responding to special needs, we are happy to do that," he said.
Najib's suggestion on the autonomy was met with resistance here as many
Thais considered it a form of independence.
Abhisit said the people there already had opportunities to elect local
authorities at the provincial, municipal and sub-district levels.
"Now if there are discussions on whether the form of local authorities might
be changed, that is obviously open to discussion. It can be done through the
election process, just like in other areas like Koh Samui where they are also
thinking of changing (the selection process of) the local authorities. We also
are receptive to those ideas," he said.
Stressing that his government was doing everything possible to end the
southern conflict, he said the current government had put in a new direction in
policy, with emphasis on development and justice.
"We have been steadily implementing what we call the special economic
zones. A lot of investments will be made. We have clear targets in terms of
raising income opportunities for the local people there."
In terms of justice, Abhisit said, the government was about to revamp the
administrative structure as well as trying to change the legal regime that used
special laws in related areas.
"We will need to have some time and patience to build trust and prove that
we are sincere about this new approach," he said.
On his working relationship with Najib and the overall ties between the two
countries over the last 52 years, Abhisit said both of them came to office
within the last one year and both were very focused in making sure that the
relationship would be enhanced and would blossom further.
He also said that there was great potential for improved bilateral ties in
economic cooperation and other forms of cooperation.
"So far, we have a very good working relationship and we think we can make
sure that both our peoples can benefit from from the work that we do," he said.
Abhisit, who became prime minister on Dec 17 last year, said there were
challenges for both countries in terms of security, such as transboundary issues
that needed to be addressed jointly.
He felt that there should be increased cooperation between Thailand and
Malaysia in tackling human trafficking, drugs and crime.
He said the Thai government appreciated Malaysia's assistance through the 3E
(education, employment and entrepreneurship) programme and there was also a
possibility of expanding the scheme which was originally aimed at developing
the southern border provinces.
"By visiting the area (in southern Thailand) together, we will be able to
see how we are making progress in terms of catering to the special needs of the
local people in education and the econony," said Abhisit, who will take Najib
to the Att Arkiah Islamiah Institute, which has over 4,000 students and a
co-corriculum in both Islamic studies and modern subjects.
-- BERNAMA
