Article 28

Army asks clerics to lift rebels' oath


Wassana Nanuam - Bangkok Post (July 5, 2004)

The army has asked the Muslim spiritual leader and chairmen of Islamic
committees of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani to officiate at a ceremony
to
retract an oath of secrecy which young Muslim students swore to
separatist insurgents.

Fourth Army commander Pisarn Wattanawongkheeree said he had asked
spiritual leader Sawasdi Sumalayasak and the Islamic committee chairmen
to preside over the ceremony.

Many Muslim youths, mostly students, joined the separatist network
voluntarily, acting as its ``eyes and ears'' and carrying out attacks.
The separatists indoctrinated hateful beliefs which encouraged the
young
followers to turn against the government in the hope of realising their
goal of creating an autonomous Pattani state.

They were told to swear not to reveal the identities of key separatist
figures and their activities. Lt-Gen Pisarn said southern Muslim
clerics
may get young people to retract their oath, called the ``Supoh''.

The army hoped this would allow the youths to open up about the
insurgents.

The Muslim spiritual leader has given the clerics copies of a manual
showing how the retraction works. To reverse the oath, the people who
swore it must either free a slave, donate 600 grammes of food to 10
poor
people, give clothes to 10 poor people or fast for three days.

Lt-Gen Pisarn said suspects aiding the separatists would be tried in a
military court on security-related charges. A military court hearing
would be faster than a police investigation, but no appeal would be
possible.

The separatist element to which the students pledged their allegiance
was tied to the Bersatu Revolusi Nationale regional terrorist umbrella.