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Exiled terror leader rules out talks with Thai government
An exiled Muslim rebel leader ruled out peace talks with Thailand's new government, saying Monday that authorities have cultivated "conditions of war" that were not conducive to ending bloodshed in the restive south. Lukman B. Lima, who heads the Pattani United Liberation Organization from exile in Sweden, said such talks should be held in the presence of an international mediator. "We want to resolve the conflict through peaceful means, through civilized methods, without recourse to bloodbath and destruction of life," Lukman said in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press. But "peace talks cannot be held under the conditions of war, military aggression and occupation."Lukman called on Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's government, which took office last month, to withdraw troops and grant sovereignty to the south, reiterating long-standing demands. A government spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment, but Samak said last month it would be dangerous to do so. It was not clear to what extent Lukman's comments reflected the views of the other shadowy groups involved in the insurgency. PULO is the only rebel organization to comment on the fighting, and its leaders have been in self-imposed exile in Sweden for several years. Plus: Thailand's police have arrested a man suspected of involvement in the bomb attack at the CS Pattani hotel. A combined police and military force arrested Muden Sameng at a house in Pattani's Panare district after an investigation found he was a member of the Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) insurgent group and linked him to a bomb incident at the CS Pattani hotel on March 15. Mr. Muden was also suspected of involvement in a bombing which killed three officials in Panare district. He denied any involvement in bombings. Posted by: ryuge 2008-03-24 |
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