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| Friday, 15 October 2004 |
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Thai, Malaysian PMs discuss security BANGKOK, Thursday (AFP) Thailand's premier said Wednesday he was seeking cooperation from his visiting Malaysian counterpart in the pursuit of militants blamed for deadly separatist violence that has plagued the Thai south this year. Thaksin Shinawatra hosted talks with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Wednesday at the resort island of Phuket that also fleshed out development plans for the three southernmost Thai provinces. An insurgency in the deep south near the Malaysian border has raged since January, with near-daily shootings of officials and security forces, bombings of police stations and markets and other attacks leaving more than 320 people dead. Thai officials, analysts and Muslim religious figures have stressed that socio-economic development of the region and more respect from central authorities was vital to help stem the violence. "We will talk about cooperation to develop the three provinces," Thaksin told reporters ahead of the meeting, referring to Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. "We will also talk about cooperation on hunting down the attackers," the premier added before flying to Phuket, about 600 kilometres (372 miles) northwest of Yala. Last week a government spokesman said the talks would focus on solving the violence, with Thaksin to present Abdullah with new information on the attacks and measures to quell the unrest. The Thai premier had also announced a shake-up of security forces in the country's south after Thailand's respected queen complained about the continuing separatist campaign. Thaksin, who has said the violence amounted to the biggest crisis of his premiership, replaced his defence minister last week. Deputy government spokeswoman Sansanee Nakpong told AFP the two leaders adressed security issues on a general level but that specific details on tracking down militants would be addressed at another session Thursday. |
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