Malaysia's Mahathir confirms talks between Thai govt, Muslim groups

(AFP) - Malaysia's ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad brokered talks
between Thai officials and Muslim groups from Thailand's south to help
resolve the conflict there.

The revelation from his office came Sunday amid indications from
Thailand's new government that authorities want to hold peace talks
with insurgent groups from the country's Muslim-majority southern
provinces.

A spokesman from Mahathir's office confirmed the ex-premier had
arranged meetings between Thai officials and Muslim leaders from
Thailand's south in the last quarter of 2005.

"Yes he did try to broker a ceasefire, that started off some time last
year and there have been about two meetings so far," he told AFP.

The meetings were on Malaysia's northern holiday island of Langkawi,
which is close to the countries' shared border and where Mahathir has
business interests, he said.

Mahathir, 81, was quoted as saying in a report Saturday that he had
initiated a peace plan and that it was up to Thai authorities to
continue the efforts.

"My mission is now complete. It is now up to the Thai authorities to
proceed with follow-up action," Mahathir was quoted as saying in the
Star newspaper.

The elder statesman said he initiated peace talks after discussions
with former Thai premier Anand Panyarachun and had also consulted with
Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

"I sought an audience with the king in October following Anand's
advice. The king agreed with Anand's suggestion that I be involved in
the peace initiative for southern Thailand," said Mahathir.

Several insurgent groups, including Bersatu and the Patani United
Liberation Organisation, attended the meetings, while the Thai
government was represented by Lieutenant-General Vaipot Srinual,
Mahathir's spokesman said.

Malaysian deputy premier Najib Razak said Mahathir had brokered the
talks as the head of a non-government organisation and that Malaysia
would not intefere in Thailand's internal politics, reports said
Sunday.

Mahathir, currently in a stand-off with the Malaysian government for
criticising its policies, has spent his time since retiring as premier
in 2003 lobbying for world peace.

Thailand's coup leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin last week confirmed that
authorities want to hold peace talks with insurgent and a Thai
official said discussions would start early next month.

Separatist violence and other unrest in southern Thailand has killed
more than 1,500 since January 2004.

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