Peace talks a welcome step

EDITORIAL

Published: 28 Feb 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

It appears the government is gearing up for formal peace talks with the southern separatist or insurgent gangs, with Malaysia acting as the facilitator.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is due to meet her Malaysian counterpart, Najib Razak, in Kuala Lumpur today, to discuss the government's peace process initiative and the role to be played by Malaysia.

A joint statement is expected after the meeting.

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jamjon01
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Discussion 14 : 28 Feb 2013 at 19.2614
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Oh well, whatever you think is best--At least you can say that you tried...?...Their word is about as good as their fanaticism. Good luck
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domdunnn
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Discussion 13 : 28 Feb 2013 at 14.3413
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pjt D 10

Your list omits a few crucial things, like what are the government going to offer to get the real insurgents to even show interest in talking to them.
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domdunnn
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Discussion 12 : 28 Feb 2013 at 14.3012
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spiceman D3

The military is a tool of the government??? You cannot be referring to the situation in Thailand, surely, the military here is a law unto itself the government has little or no control over it.
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spiceman
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Discussion 11 : 28 Feb 2013 at 11.0711
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Khun Ringmaster #8, yes, in the past, that was the case, however, those days are over, since then the Military has been becoming more and more reluctant to get involved in politics. The last coup and subsequent elections seem to teach them a good lesson that political problem demands political solution, and not a military one.
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pjt
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Discussion 10 : 28 Feb 2013 at 09.4410
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The acid test of whether these agreements and negotiations are real and effective, as opposed to just being political ploys as some suspect, will come when we see the agreements, who they are made with and the steps to implimentation they contain. For example what steps to surrender arms and put them beyond use? What steps to identify terrorists and re-integrate than back into their communities? What are former terrorists going to do to actively contribute to community security in future? Until then we should welcome the effort but suspend judgement as to its value until we can assess how much it erodes support for the remaining terrorists
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spiceman
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Discussion 9 : 28 Feb 2013 at 08.249
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Khun Onlyasking #7, how is that possible? Have you heard of an old saying, "History holds key to future?" So, without focusing on our history, how do we find key to unlock our future?
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ringmaster
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Discussion 8 : 28 Feb 2013 at 08.138
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Spiceman #3 If "the Military was, is and always will be a tool of the PM" then why the coups? I believe you have it backwards... the PM was, is and always will be a tool of the military.
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onlyasking
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Discussion 7 : 28 Feb 2013 at 07.587
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Khun Spiceman - one should learn from the past but the past should not be your focus.
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Victor
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Discussion 6 : 28 Feb 2013 at 07.126
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"....Malaysia acting as faciliator"
Souldn't that be "mediator", because Malaysia has been acting as a faciliator for the other side since the beginning?
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spiceman
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Discussion 5 : 28 Feb 2013 at 06.535
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Khun Onlyasking #4, without knowing your past, how do you make sense of your present, and how do you want your future to be like?
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Peace talks a welcome step | Bangkok Post: opinion