January 4, 2005

Army to begin job scheme for Muslim youths

SERMSUK KASITIPRADIT

The army is about to launch a pilot project in the deep South called

``Mosques for Society'' in which jobs will be given to unemployed Muslim

youths as part of the government's long-term strategy to tackle unrest

in the region.

Defence Minister Gen Sampun Boonyanun recently ordered the formation of

a centre in the three southern border provinces to coordinate and find

jobs for unemployed people following cabinet approval for the project on

Nov 30.

Lt-Gen Chongsak Panichpakdi, army assistant chief of staff for civilian

affairs, was made director of the centre.

Lt-Gen Chongsak said 500 youths would be selected to take part in the

programme that will also include seminars and training.

Lt-Gen Chongsak said an urgent solution needed to found for the

deepening mistrust between local Muslims and security officials, or the

security situation in the South could worsen dramatically.

The project was organised after Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra

called for the creation of jobs for unemployed people in the

Muslim-dominated provinces as a means to help end violence by Islamic

militants, which has intensified in its ferocity throughout the course

of the year.

``Apart from providing jobs for nine months for local youths, the army

is hopeful the 45-day long seminar and training programme will help

re-establish confidence and resolve the problem of distrust of the

authorities by local people,'' said Lt-Gen Chongsak.

The officer said the army, with support from the defence ministry and

the Internal Security Operation Command (Isoc) would cooperate closely

with the Islamic Central Committee of Thailand, which would co-ordinate

with provincial Islamic committees in the three troubled provinces to

select the youths who would take part.

Gen Sampun was optimistic that over the long run the project would help

improve understanding among local Muslims, whose cooperation was vital

in eventually returning peace and stability to the troubled region.

A Fourth Army security source said that among the Muslim youths to be

selected for the project would be suspected militants and people who

might be sympathetic to the separatist cause.

``We are convinced that once these people take part in the seminar and

training programme with support from the Islamic Central Committee, it

will help strengthen ties and understanding and establish mutual

confidence.

The source said Army Commander Gen Prawit Wongsuwan was also completely

supportive of the idea.

``Gen Prawit has been stunned by the level of local mistrust of

security forces and felt the problem cannot be left unresolved as in the

long run it would pose difficulties in maintaining peace and order in

the area,'' the source said.