| 泰国和马来西亚同意建立安全合作关系-2 "A peaceful and secure environment is crucial to the economic development and prosperity of these areas," he continued. Mr. Surayud said Malaysia had welcomed the Thai government's new efforts to achieve reconciliation in the southern provinces. Rights groups accused the Thaksin government of human-rights abuses in dealing with the insurgency as well as policy failures starting soon after he came to power in 2001. In November Mr. Surayud publicly apologized to Thailand's Muslims for any abuses under the former government. The increased cross-border cooperation is welcome, says Human Rights Watch representative in Thailand, Sunai Pasuk. "Cooperation between the governments of Thailand and Malaysia is very important to any effort to address the insurgency in Southern Thailand," he said. "This is the right approach. I am very pleased to see Prime Minister Surayud and Prime Minister Badawai seriously working together." But analysts say cooperation is just a first step. Separatists stepped up attacks through late 2006 as Mr. Surayud's government made renewed efforts to win back support from the Muslim communities. |
