INDONESIA CALLS FOR PEACE IN SOUTH THAILAND

Jakarta, Sept 21 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government will keep promoting peace in South Thailand through its position as a facilitator for talks between the Thai government and the separatist group in the region.

Presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said at the state palace here on Sunday evening that the first meeting between the two sides at the presidential palace in Bogor, West Java, from Saturday to Sunday had concluded and produced some progress.
He said "they agreed to exercise restraint to avoid any incidence that would undermine this peace process. They agreed not to commit any violence."
In the meeting that was chaired by Vice President Jusuf Kalla a number of important principles had been agreed upon although the settlement of a number of crucial issues still needed mediation, he said.
"What is important is that this process will continue. It was agreed that the conflict had to be settled peacefully and within the Thai consitution," he said.
He said the two sides had also agreed to hold a second round of talks on November 1 and 2 and a third round in the middle of November also in Bogor.
"We hope the talks would continue and develop in stages like in the peace process for Aceh. What is encouraging is that they have agreed to hold talks on politics and administrative system in the second round," he said.
In addition, they would also discuss defense, military, socio-cultural, economic and educational issues, he said.
He said the Indonesian government would remain to be a facilitator and striving to make the two rivals feel comfortable with their role.
"We are playing a role of an honest facilitaror. To us the Thai integrity must remain maintained," he said.