February 15, 2005

Thaksin orders security forces to cooperate

POST REPORTERS

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has told security forces to integrate

efforts and cooperation in the far South.

Gen Sirichai Tunyasiri, director of the Southern Border Provinces

Peace-building Command (SBPPC) said the prime minister wants each and

every security-related agency to boost efforts to ensure unity.

Currently, military, police and civilians have different styles of

working, said the SBPPC director after a two-hour meeting on security

matters in the deep South. Earlier, Pol Lt-Gen Wongkot Maneerin had been

removed from the job of overseeing the police force in the deep South,

following reports of a festering conflict with the military.

Gen Sirichai said intelligence operations were progressing well, but to

get accurate information and trusted sources would take time. He said

while people were being more cooperative, there was still a need to make

them accept and realise the troops were there to look after and help

them.

Gen Sirichai said violence would gradually subside over the next four

years, if not be brought to an outright end. ``I can't confirm that it

will be 100% peaceful, but things will get better,'' he said.

Gen Sirichai also insisted the establishment of the new 15th Infantry

Division would strengthen and facilitate security work in the region.

Its headquarters were likely to be in Pattani, he said.

Defence Minister Gen Sumpun Boonyanun said yesterday the prime minister

expressed grave concerns about the daily violence.

He said solving the problems would take time and that psychological

operations would be intensified to create a better understanding among

the general public in the area and the militants.

Mr Thaksin, meanwhile, said there would be no changes made to

government policy on southern problems.