Article 67

South needs `courage' from security officials

POST REPORTERS

Her Majesty the Queen made an emotional plea yesterday for unity among security officials in the South and called on them to be courageous and make sacrifices for the sake of the country and the people.

The Queen said the pain and suffering from the loss of innocent lives has already been too great.

In her speech in Narathiwat to more than 5,000 people at a parade of three battalions of village defence volunteers from Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, the Queen said the country did not want to lose any more lives in violent attacks.

The Queen said Thailand has earned an international reputation as ``The Land of Peace'' because its people of many races, different languages and religions have been able to live together in harmony. She said Thai people are generous and are not prejudiced against those of different religions.

Temples, mosques and churches can be seen around the country, some located close together and there have never been religious conflicts among Buddhists, Muslims and Christians, she added.

This has now changed, she said, in the wake of attacks on people making an honest living and has separated fathers, mothers and their children forever.

She said she sympathised with their families and asked police, soldiers, local government officials and the people to be united and join forces in protecting the lives and property of their fellow countrymen with courage and sacrifice.

``I beg all of you to cooperate and unite in doing your duties. Be brave and make sacrifices. Do not let people get attacked anymore.

``Keep in mind that you are doing this for the security and safety of your beloved country. I ask that each and every one of you be determined to give gratitude to your motherland,'' the Queen said.

The Queen had ordered the military to arrange weapons training for Buddhists and Muslims in the deep South who had volunteered to safeguard their own communities after she had received ``distress signals'' from frightened villagers.

She said village scouts, national defence volunteers and forest protection volunteers could also help security officials in peace-keeping in the South.

Gen Panlop Pinmanee, deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command, had recently revealed the disunity and conflicts prevalent among security agencies working towards ending the violence in the South.

Gen Panlop had called on Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to leave the job of commanding southern security for good as he said his inconsistent strategies and policies had left security officials in a state of confusion.

He had suggested the task be given to Defence Minister Chettha Thanajaro. He also said the Southern Border Provinces Peace Building Command in Pattani under Gen Chavalit should be dissolved because it had failed to improve cooperation among the various security agencies.

Fourth Army chief Lt-Gen Pisarn Wattanawongkeeree was also known to have conflicts with national police chief Pol Gen Kovit Wattana.

A Government House source said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had cancelled his lunch with his deputies yesterday and flown to Narathiwat for an audience with the Queen. Mr Thaksin will also make helicopter inspections of other southern provinces, the source said. He has just given Gen Chavalit full authority to command security operations in the South, a change of heart after previously declaring he would put Gen Chettha in charge.