BANGKOK, March 30 – Thailand’s national security chief admitted that the ongoing peace talks with Muslim insurgents will not suspend militants’ attacks and violent activity in the kingdom’s far South.
Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanathabut met with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Friday to report the results of dialogue with core insurgent leaders in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
He quoted the premier as saying that the peace process must continue strenuously and positively, given the people’s high expectation.
Fifteen Thai officials joined the Kuala Lumpur’s peace talks which was attended by 15 key insurgents of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (National Revolutionary Front or BRN) and the Pattani United Liberation Organisation (PULO). High-ranking Malaysian officials were present during the 12-hour discussion.
“Thailand wanted to cool down violence in the South while the BRN members sought justice for fellow militants [under arrest warrants],” Lt Gen Paradorn said.
“It is impossible to hope that major violence will not occur in the restive region. Talks will continue though the unrest hasn’t improved yet.”
He said the Thai side asked for a timeframe but the BRN representatives said they need to create understanding among the various factions.
Paradorn added that militant wrongdoers on the official wanted list consisted of less than 10,000 people and it would not be necessary to enforce the amnesty law to solve this problem.
He said Thursday’s dialogue would lead to further talks and he will consult former prime minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh soon. (MCOT online news)
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30.MARCH Five rangers wounded in a bomb attack in Pattani’s Mayo district; bomb was hidden in motorcycle parked on roadside- In Yala, National Security Council chief meets locals to clarify peace talks; insurgent leader Abdullah Pula arrested in Than To district.
Deputy Information Minister Ye Htut said Saturday on his Facebook page that he strongly rejected the comments by U.N. Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar Tomas Ojea Quintana. He said the criticism did not take into account efforts by the authorities to restore order together with religious and civil society groups.
OPS, DO WE GET THIS IN USA,UK,Citizenship Law to give equal citizen’s rights to all nationals?
An angry mob of hundreds of people, led by Buddhist monks, attacked a warehouse belonging to a Muslim-owned clothing chain in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo on Thursday. This comes as Buddhist hardliners ramp up their campaigns against Muslims’ lifestyles. READ ALL AND VIDEO http://observers.france24.com/content/20130329-sri-lanka-police-buddhist-muslim-store
China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand announced Thursday that they will conduct a two-month joint campaign against drug-related crimes on the Mekong River starting April 20.
Representatives from the four nations attended a launch event held in Beijing on Thursday.
With the upcoming joint campaign, law enforcers will aim to crack a series of major cases of trans-region drug-related crimes, break major narcotics production chains and transport networks, and hunt drug-related fugitives.
The four nations also intend to improve mutual trust and boost trans-region capabilities in fighting drug-related crimes.
Though the overall security situation on the Mekong River has improved, narcotics crimes continue to rage there partly due to the regions lagging in terms of economic and social development, according to the representatives.
Strengthening the fight against drugs on the river is necessary for ensuring the safety of this major trading route in Southeast Asia, they said.
I would like to make a commitment to the people of Myanmar. In this time of change towards an open society, my government will share information in a truthful and transparent manner. I would also like to request a commitment from you in return. As citizens of this country, we must also distinguish facts from fiction and overcome the dangers posed by rumors in a wise and open-minded manner. If we can keep our commitments, we can overcome these challenges while building a harmonious society that safeguards human dignity.
President’s speech in full (official translation):
“My fellow citizens,
“I would like to take this opportunity to explain to you the circumstances giving rise to the recent riots in Meiktila and the attempts of a small number of people to cause the spread of rioting to other parts of the country. I am deeply saddened to find out that a simple private dispute led to a deadly riot and that some unruly instigators, taking advantage of the disingenuousness of the public, tried to spread the riots to other parts of the country. I will like to reflect my government’s position on these riots.
“In general, I do not endorse the use of force to solve problems. However, I will not hesitate to use force as a last resort to protect the lives and safeguard the property of general public.
“Individual freedom, which we consider to be the fundamental ingredient of democracy, is the kind of freedom that does not infringe on the civil liberties of others. Our Constitution guarantees the right of all citizens to worship freely any religion they choose. I would like to warn all political opportunists and religious extremists who exploit the noble teachings of these religions and tried to plant hatred among people of different faiths for their own self-interest. We will take all necessary and effective action to stop their operations in accordance with our Constitution and our existing laws.
“We must expect these conflicts and difficulties to arise during our period of democratic transition. With a united effort, we must face and overcome these challenges together. As we rebuild our society, we must rise above sixty years of historical bitterness, confrontational approaches, and a zero-sum attitude in solving our differences. I want to call on all citizens to rise above these previous erroneous methods, unite our different strengths, and chart a path towards consensus building and democratic deliberation to solve the challenges faced in this transition.
“We have already seen a different approach in this Meiktila incident. To rebuild mutual understanding and trust in the community, it is important to bring together civil society participation, leadership from various religious communities, assistance from international organizations, and responsible reporting from the media. In addition, the tatmadaw [Myanmar armed forces] has also played a meaningful role in safeguarding property and the rehabilitation of victims.
An Arakanese youth leader Ko Ray Min Oo has been missing in Yangon since 25 March after two strangers called him out from his residence, said his colleague ko Khin Maung Lin.
Ko Ray Min Oo is not only an Arakanese youth leader but also secretary of a student committee which is organizing to form a Student Union in Burma. He is studying at University in Yangon.
He was brought at 9 pm on the day by two strangers to a Sugar cane liquid shop located in front of Kyi Thwn Pagoda near a monastery, U Thasana Kyaung Tike, in Bahan Township in Yangon where he lives as a resident.
U Nyana, the abbot of the monastery followed him on suspicion of bringing him to out of the monastery and the abbot saw around seven people waiting for him from the shop. Later Ko Ray Min Oo was brought to an unknown place, said another monk quoted the abbot.
Since then, he has been missing and not communicating with the abbot and other colleagues.
“We are now worried about him. We do not know those strangers who brought Ko Ray Min Oo to unknown places. So we went to Baham police station yesterday to open a file. Police accepted it as a case with registered number 13/2013,” Ko Khin Mg lin said.
Some Arakanese monks and youth leaders also held a press conference at Shwe Ayatha restaurant in Shwe Gondai of Yangon on Wednesday to explain that Ko Ray Min oo has been missing since 25 March.
The attendees in the press conference agreed to request the president and Ministry offices through an appeal letter to pressure the concerned authorities to search and save him from the hands of unknown people immediately.
Last night of day witness told that stranger come in monestrey and talked with Ye Min Oo, (Student Union setup committee ) . He agree to follow them . he,s missing since than.They think they are policemen.
democracy for burma 
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