King backed me, Mahathir says

Connie Levett
Sydney Morning Herald

THE sensitive decision by Mahathir Mohamed, Malaysia's former prime
minister, to initiate peace talks with Thai Islamic insurgents in the
country's south came after a meeting with Thailand's King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, a new interview says.

Dr Mahathir said the meeting was set up by a former Thai prime
minister, Anand Panyarachun, who, as head of the National
Reconciliation Commission, was seeking a long-term solution to the
crisis in the three southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and
Narathiwat. More than 1700 people have died there since 2004 in a
combination of insurgent, political and criminal killings.

"I sought an audience with the king in October [last year] following
Anand's advice. The king agreed with Anand's suggestion that I be
involved in the peace initiative for southern Thailand," Dr Mahathir
reportedly told the Malaysian newspaper the Star.

If the king has endorsed Dr Mahathir's mission, the Joint Development
and Peace Plan for Southern Thailand, which was handed over to Thai
and Malaysian government officials in August, will have greater
credibility in Thailand. The plan emerged from 14 months of secret
discussions between the leaders of insurgent groups in southern
Thailand and the Thai military.

In an interview with the Herald on Thursday, Dr Mahathir refused to
say who endorsed his mission. He made the royal endorsement claims
after Thai newspapers questioned his authority to conduct such
sensitive talks.

Relations between Malaysia and Thailand are on the whole good. But the
handling of the Islamic insurgency in the south has resulted in
tension between the two governments. Thousands of Thai refugees from
the conflict, some sought by Thai police, live in northern Malaysia.

Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Razak, who was not involved in
negotiations but was given a copy of the document in August, said
Malaysia would stay out of Thailand's affairs.

"We cannot interfere … unless expressly invited to do so," the news
agency Bernama quoted Mr Najib as saying. "It is up to Thailand to
determine its stand on the matter."

Dr Mahathir said last week that his mission was complete. He hoped
General Vaipot Srinual, who handled talks for the Thai military in the
secret phase, would be involved in continuing talks.

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