ID :
41120
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 22:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/41120
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Thai Deputy PM: No deadline for ending insurgency
BANGKOK, Jan 16 (TNA) - Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Friday that the Democrat-led coalition government would not set a deadline for ending the years-long insurgency in Thailand's southern border region, but would adopt a proactive approach to improve quality of life in the region.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the first visit to the restive South by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday, Mr. Suthep said the premier would travel to the area bordering Yala and Pattani provinces along with the newly-established ministerial committee to receive first-hand information and a briefing on progress by the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC).
The 18-member committee, including 16 ministers, is tol be chaired by the prime minister with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep as deputy dhief. The committee is tasked with setting up a special development zone in the provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Satun and Songkhla.
Mr. Suthep downplayed Thursday night's bombing in Yala where insurgents detonated a motorcycle bomb in front of the provincial hospital, saying the violence should not be considered a threat to the government.
He pledged the government would reveal statistics on the violence in the insurgency-plagued region and would work to the best of its ability to restore peace in the region.
Unlike previous government, no deadline will be set, but a new approach focusing on development and people's lives improvement would be actively implemented, he said.
More than 3,500 people have been killed since violence erupted in early 2004. (TNA)
Speaking to reporters ahead of the first visit to the restive South by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday, Mr. Suthep said the premier would travel to the area bordering Yala and Pattani provinces along with the newly-established ministerial committee to receive first-hand information and a briefing on progress by the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC).
The 18-member committee, including 16 ministers, is tol be chaired by the prime minister with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep as deputy dhief. The committee is tasked with setting up a special development zone in the provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Satun and Songkhla.
Mr. Suthep downplayed Thursday night's bombing in Yala where insurgents detonated a motorcycle bomb in front of the provincial hospital, saying the violence should not be considered a threat to the government.
He pledged the government would reveal statistics on the violence in the insurgency-plagued region and would work to the best of its ability to restore peace in the region.
Unlike previous government, no deadline will be set, but a new approach focusing on development and people's lives improvement would be actively implemented, he said.
More than 3,500 people have been killed since violence erupted in early 2004. (TNA)
