Cablegate: Southern Violence: Official Response to Latest

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PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHBK #3649/01 1701028
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 191028Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9553
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 BANGKOK 003649

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, EAP/MLS
PACOM FOR FPA (HUSO)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV TH
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN VIOLENCE: OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO LATEST
ATTACKS

REF: BANGKOK 3585 (JUNE 15 BOMBINGS)

1. (SBU) Summary: On June 16, in response to the series of
bomb attacks across far southern Thailand, the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs issued a diplomatic note addressing the
current situation in the South and the RTG's efforts to deal
with it. In the press, caretaker PM Thaksin continued to be
critical of security forces, and offered a weak endorsement
for the NRC. Separately, FM Kantathi said there was no
evidence of Malaysian involvement in the June 15 attacks.
Meanwhile, in the days following the June 15 attacks, bombing
and shooting attacks continued across the far south. Police
have made several arrests in connection with the violence
including an Indonesian citizen detained in Narathiwat. End
Summary

MFA PUTS SOME SPIN ON THE VIOLENCE, RTG EFFORTS

2. (SBU) On June 16 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
offered an official explanation for the continuing violence
in far southern Thailand and detailed government efforts to
address the situation. The diplomatic note (full text copied
below) blames militants for manipulating socio-economic
problems and religious differences to create violence which
serves there own political objectives. According to the MFA,
the Thai government understands the root causes of the unrest
and is working towards long-term solutions which respect
local concerns. Security forces are being trained using
international human rights standards and efforts are underway
to improve educational and economic conditions for the local
population. Finally, the note acknowledges the proposals
made by the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC), but
does not offer a specific endorsement.

PUBLIC REACTIONS FROM THE THAI LEADERSHIP

3. (SBU) Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin continued to be
publicly critical of his governments' handling of the recent
violence, acknowledging that mistakes had been made by
security forces (reftel). Thaksin told the media he would
dispatch Royal Thai Army CINC Sonthi Boonyaratakalin to the
South to look into government failings. Thaksin said the
government would work to improve development and
reconciliation efforts and would "apply the instructions of
the NRC." Separately, in response to strong denials from
Malaysian officials, the RTG continued to carefully walk back
the statement made by Interior Minister Kongsak following the
June 15 attacks that the bombs had come from "a neighboring
country to the south." On June 18, Foreign Minister Kantathi
told the press that "there is no evidence pointing to
Malaysian involvement."

MEANWHILE, THE VIOLENCE CONTINUES...

4. (SBU) Since the June 15 coordinated attacks there has
been a continued high level of violence across the far South.
On June 16, police confirmed five more small bombs in
Narathiwat and Yala provinces. One explosion in Yala
seriously injured a district official and three police. On
June 17, there were more bombs, including a device placed in
a Yala karaoke bar which killed two. On June 18, additional
attacks were reported, including the shooting of a former
provincial official and a bomb attack on a police patrol in
Narathiwat. Following the recent attacks, police have made a
number of arrests across the three southernmost provinces --
mostly on drug charges. Among those arrested was an
Indonesian citizen -- Zablee Hamaeruding -- who was found at
a Narathiwat rubber plantation with two pounds of fertilizer
and some nails. The suspect is being held on immigration
charges and is under interrogation.

5. (U) BEGIN TEXT - THAI DIPLOMATIC NOTE ON SOUTH

Developments in the Southern Provinces of Thailand

Overall Situation
--------------------

The situation in the three southern provinces of Thailand,
namely Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala, remains a concern for
the Thai Government as violent incidents continue to occur
with militants targeting both innocent Muslim and Buddhist
civilians. Since 2004, the death toll in the three southern
provinces is approximately 1008 and figures of those injured
being around 1812 -- with victims being nearly equal among
both Thai Muslims and Thai Buddhists. It has also been noted

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that there has been an increase in militants targeting
innocent civilians. Recently, in one of the most vicious
attacks, two female teachers were abducted and brutally
beaten -- leaving one hospitalized and in serious condition.

As noted in the Joint Press Statement between H.E. Sayed K.
El-Masry, head of the OIC Goodwill Delegation to Thailand,
and Mr. Krit Garnjana-Goonchron, Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, that the situation
in the southern provinces of Thailand is not a religious
conflict. But instead is a situation in which religion has
been used as a pretext for violence. Religion has been
distorted by those who are taking advantage of the
socio-economic problems in the three southern provinces to
stir unrest of their own political interest.

Efforts of the government are no only seeking to end the
violence, but also to put in place long-term solutions that
will promote harmony and overall development for the benefit
of the local population, regardless of belief or ethnicity.
The Thai Government understands the root causes of the
problem and is fully committed to addressing the situation in
a long-term and comprehensive manner. The Government has,
thus, initiated a number of measures that will improve the
educational system and stimulate economic growth in the
region.

At the same time, it also recognizes the distinctiveness of
the region and gives emphasis to the promotion of greater
understanding among government officials and local residents
that will enhance confidence building and enable a harmonious
society. With this recognition, the Government has given
priority to assigning competent officials, who are sensitized
to the unique characteristics of the region, to work in the
three southern provinces as well as initiated a number of
cultural awareness programs.

With regards to the tragic Krue Se and Tak Bai incidents,
Thailand also reaffirms our commitment to undertake
comprehensive measure to prevent a recurrence of such
incidents by equipping our security personnel with adequate
training and skills to handle crowed control based on
international standards.

To ensure the successful implementation of these measures in
enabling sustainable and long-term progress, the Thai
government will continue to push forward and build upon the
success of these past initiatives.

Socio-Economic Measures
-----------------------

Among the three southern provinces of Thailand's combined
population of 1.7 million, its poverty rate is approximately
17 percent with unemployment rate high. The Thai Government
recognizes this problem and gives high priority to the
situation in the southern provinces of Thailand, and has
thus, initiated a number of programs that will address the
root causes of the socio-economic problem as a means to
reiterate our commitment to peacefully resolving the
situation in a comprehensive manner.

In the past few years, the Thai Government intensified
efforts by launching a number of initiatives focused on
addressing the educational system; training for security
personnel; developing the economy for the local community;
improving the transportation system; and enhancing cultural
awareness as follows:

Educational Initiatives:

The Thai Government, through the Ministry of Education, is
playing a greater role in implementing measures to develop
the southern provinces of Thailand.

-- The educational system is being re-designed to become
more compatible with the demands of the labor force;

-- At the same time, it is also taking into account the
distinctiveness of the local community by promoting Islamic
studies at state primary schools as well as encouraging local
schools to teach Malay and the region's history. Over
hundreds of "ponoh" (293) have also registered to be eligible
for Government assistance;

-- Hundreds of scholarships have been also granted to

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students in the southern provinces;

-- As a national policy to promote greater understanding and
unity within the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has
also organized a summer training course and study tour for 20
Thai Muslim students from Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and
Songkhla during 8 - 26 May 2006, which enabled them to
receive first-hand work experience at various departments
within the foreign ministry.

Economic Initiatives:

The Thai Government is addressing the economic concerns of
the southern provinces of Thailand in long-term and
comprehensive manner. In addition to the vocational training
available at the various training centers located through the
three southern provinces, other initiatives include:

-- Promoting the halal food industry to enhance job
opportunities and stimulate economic growth in the south;

-- Providing financial assistance and tax incentives to
attract investments;

-- Ensuring that financial services provided be in
accordance with the Islamic principles;

-- Providing assistance in developing local products and
enhancing its market accessibility;

-- Providing low interest rates to expand the economy; and

-- Improving the transportation system to enhance the flow
of goods and services.

As a result, tens of thousands have already undergone the
vocational training and received employment both in public
and private sectors throughout the southern provinces.
Businesses have also been stimulated with commercial
investments flowing into Yala creating greater job
opportunities for the local communities.

Remedial and Security Measures:
------------------------------

In addition to the remedial measures given to families
affected by the Krue Se and Tak Bai incidents, the Government
will push forward to give assistance to those who have
suffered as well as expedite a review pending issues and
petitions in accordance to the due process of the law. With
this recognition, constructive and comprehensive measures
have been implemented to reaffirm its commitment to prevent
recurrence of such incidents.

Remedial Measures

Pursuant to the Office of the Prime Minister's Order No.
9/2548, dated 6 January 2005, a Remedial Commission of
persons who have suffered from the Tak Bai incident was
establish to provide necessary assistance and remedy for the
families of the deceased, the injured and missing persons as
well as verify the damages and losses.

Remedies have been made in various forms, regardless of the
investigation result, to those who were affected, such as
financial assistance of up to 300,000 baht per person, free
education as well as social assistance to enable the affected
families to continue their daily lives and living.

Training for Security Personnel

In addressing the lessons learnt from the tragic Krue Se and
Tak Bai incidents, the Thai Government provided training as
well as better facilities to equip its security personnel
with means to handle crowd control situation in accordance
with international standards and practices.

1. Every military officer station in the three southern
provinces of Thailand must receive training on effective
crowd control handling and negotiation in accordance with the
standards used during UN peacekeeping operations in East
Timor;

2. A special "Riot Control Company" was set up to handle
crowd control - using only shields and batons for protection
and no firearms permitted. There are two units thus far -

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one station in the south and the other - its reinforcement
unit, is located in Bangkok.

3. The UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms
by Law Enforcement Officials was also translated and
disseminated as training manual to all relevant agencies;

4. The Southern Border Provinces Peace-Building Command also
conducts an evaluation of its personnel's overall performance
and periodically - 3 to 6 months - to ensure efficiency in
resolving the situation in the South in a peaceful manner;

5. A number of cultural awareness training and language
courses have been organized for security personnel working in
the Southern provinces of Thailand to enhance understanding
among the local community.

(6) The Ministry of Defense and its Supreme Command
Headquarters have periodically organized human rights
seminars, in conjunction with international military offices.
(i.e., in May 2006, a seminar on human rights and laws
government conflicts of firearms)

(7) The Royal Thai Police also gives high priority on the
prevention of human rights violations by police officers. It
issued a human rights handbook and organized education and
training programs for police officers on human rights issues.
(i.e., Training for police officers in the south by the
Foundation for Human Rights and Development in Yala)

Others

-- The cabinet approved the establishment of the Independent
Commission on Justice and Civil Liberties for the Southern
Border Provinces (ICJC). ICJC is chaired by former
Parliament President, Mr. Ukrit Mongkolnawin, and set up to
provide legal advice to the Government on implementing
effective, just and transparent legal measure in the south in
accordance to the distinctiveness of the community.

National Reconciliation Commission:
-----------------------------------

NRC Report

-- The National Reconciliation Commission was established on
28 March 2005 and headed by former Prime Minister Anand
Panyarachun as an initiative to by the Thai Government to
promote reconciliation in the southern provinces of Thailand.

-- NRC, which comprises representatives from civil
societies, academics, Muslim leaders, government and military
official, was given a free rein to analyze the situation and
made recommendations to the Government -- advising on
suggested long-term measures.

-- The NRC submitted their report to the government on 5
June 2006. A press conference was given at the Foreign
Ministry by the head of the NRC, who disclosed the following
about the report:

1. Reaffirmed that the situation in the southern province is
neither a religious conflict nor separatism.

2. Concluded that the root causes of the problem in the
southern provinces were poverty, lack of development,
cultural differences as well as the failure of the justice
system.

3. Proposed that the state clearly demonstrate that it
chooses to engage in dialogue with the militants; resolving
the problems of unemployment; improving the justice system;
and using "Yawi" as working language to reduce the
communication barriers between the local communities and
authorities.

-- The Government is reviewing the proposals made by the NRC

END TEXT - THAI DIPLOMATIC NOTE.
ARVIZU

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