South faces testing time

South faces testing time

Ramadan has begun in Islamic communities worldwide, and the next month presents a challenge and opportunity in the restive deep South. Ramadan is the time when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. The abstinence from food and water for half of each day brings a chance for reflection and compassion. The absence of a ceasefire in the South provides all the more reason for officials and troops to show restraint and stress the need for respect all around.

Two months ago, there was a chance for a first ever truce in the deep South. The Malaysian leader of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) had agreed in principle with the head of the government's peace talks delegation on a Ramadan ceasefire. But Hassan Taib, the BRN spokesman, imposed more conditions for the 30-day truce on top of what he had demanded for a complete end to the war for secession, and a formal ceasefire was impossible.

But prospects for a peaceful Ramadan still partly lie in the hands of security forces and government officials in the four southernmost provinces. Last week, the Chularatchamontri, the Muslim spiritual leader for all of Thailand, urged the military and police to take Ramadan into consideration when conducting their duties over the next four weeks. All security forces should bear in mind two things during the next month.

On the one hand, they must provide security and enforce law and order as always. But they must also live, work and stay alert during a culturally and religiously sensitive period. Ramadan could easily be exploited by forces willing or even eager to use the festival to wage violent incidents, including terrorism, that would cause even greater problems than usual.

Aziz Phitakkumpon, the Chularatchamontri, has asked the government to "adopt a sensitive approach" to security operations. This should mean that security forces limit their duties largely to defensive operations.

Last week, as Mr Aziz spoke to the government in Bangkok about Ramadan, the imam of Khok Pho district mosque in Pattani offered his opinion from the heart of the restive region. Arhama Mina said he felt more secure because troops and police have put more stringent security measures into force. Commanders have also beefed up manpower in critical and sensitive areas, including near Mr Arhama's mosque.

Since presenting his unrealistic ceasefire demands two weeks ago, the BRN's representative has been silent. Mr Hassan certainly plans to blame the government for any violence in the South over the next 30 days. That provides extra incentive for top government officials and commanders not to play into the hands of the BRN.

Last year, the BRN and other militants used Ramadan to step up drive-by killings and assassinations. Terror attacks on random civilian targets also increased. Bombs damaged the best hotel in Pattani and destroyed a car showroom. This month, one hopes, commanders have arranged better defensive measures, and that such violence can be stopped.

The peace talks present a double-edged sword. They are an opportunity to negotiate directly with southern belligerents.

But they also give the BRN a voice and a quasi-respect it has failed to attain for 50 years. The government and security forces have the opportunity to show that their purpose in the South is to protect Thai citizens. During Ramadan, they should stress this responsibility.

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