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Thai army agrees to rebel talks Thai army agrees to rebel talks
(about 2 hours later)
Thailand's new military rulers say they have agreed to talks with Islamic rebels in the south, in a significant policy change from the ousted regime.Thailand's new military rulers say they have agreed to talks with Islamic rebels in the south, in a significant policy change from the ousted regime.
General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, who led the September coup, said he had agreed to a request for talks from several rebel factions.General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, who led the September coup, said he had agreed to a request for talks from several rebel factions.
No rebels groups have yet confirmed the development.No rebels groups have yet confirmed the development.
Former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in the coup, had refused to hold discussions with the insurgents.Former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in the coup, had refused to hold discussions with the insurgents.
Gen Sonthi has also recently confirmed that he has no immediate plans to end martial law, which has been in place since the coup. Gen Sonthi, who is himself a Muslim, had proposed such talks before the coup but the idea had been rejected by Mr Thaksin.
Gen Sonthi has also confirmed that he has no immediate plans to end martial law, which has been in place since the coup.
Despite international concerns over the limitations this law imposes - such as a ban on political gatherings and restrictions on press freedom - he has refused to give a date for the rules to be rescinded.Despite international concerns over the limitations this law imposes - such as a ban on political gatherings and restrictions on press freedom - he has refused to give a date for the rules to be rescinded.
A US embassy official said Washington would be worried if martial law was not lifted within 10 days of the new interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont taking office, which he did on Sunday.A US embassy official said Washington would be worried if martial law was not lifted within 10 days of the new interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont taking office, which he did on Sunday.
But Gen Sonthi told the Associated Press: "We will have to continue to use it [martial law] because we don't know if anything is going to happen during the transition period."But Gen Sonthi told the Associated Press: "We will have to continue to use it [martial law] because we don't know if anything is going to happen during the transition period."
As yet there is no indication how long this transition period will last.
The US remains worried about the situation in Thailand in the aftermath of the coup.
Deputy White House press secretary Dana Perino said earlier this week that the US was "assessing additional next steps" which could be taken, in addition to last week's suspension of military aid.
Bloody insurgencyBloody insurgency
It is so far unclear when and where talks between Thailand's military and the rebel leaders in the south will take place. It is so far unclear when and where talks between Thailand's military and the rebel leaders in the south will take place, or which rebel groups will be represented.
TROUBLED SOUTH Home to most of Thailand's 4% Muslim minority Muslim rebels fought the government up to the mid-80s Suspected militants have upped attacks this year, targeting BuddhistsSecurity forces' response criticised by rights groups Thailand's restive south In pictures: Daily lifeTROUBLED SOUTH Home to most of Thailand's 4% Muslim minority Muslim rebels fought the government up to the mid-80s Suspected militants have upped attacks this year, targeting BuddhistsSecurity forces' response criticised by rights groups Thailand's restive south In pictures: Daily life
A senior military official told the Nation newspaper that the meeting could take place as soon as next month.A senior military official told the Nation newspaper that the meeting could take place as soon as next month.
But the south's top military leader, Lieutenant General Viroach Buacharoon, told Reuters: "Before any dialogue takes place, the insurgents must stop the violence for a month to show their sincerity."But the south's top military leader, Lieutenant General Viroach Buacharoon, told Reuters: "Before any dialogue takes place, the insurgents must stop the violence for a month to show their sincerity."
A spokesman for the army, Col Acra Pritroch, told the BBC that the talks would be between senior army leaders and the heads of rebel groups, but would not involve Gen Sonthi himself. A spokesman for the army, Col Acra Pritroch, told the BBC that the talks would be between senior army leaders and the heads of rebel groups, but would not involve Gen Sonthi.
More than 1,500 people have been killed since January 2004 in the bloody insurgency in Thailand's southern provinces.More than 1,500 people have been killed since January 2004 in the bloody insurgency in Thailand's southern provinces.
Officials blame Muslim insurgents for much of the unrest, although criminal gangs are also thought to be behind some of the attacks.Officials blame Muslim insurgents for much of the unrest, although criminal gangs are also thought to be behind some of the attacks.
Thailand's new prime minister, Gen Surayud, is continuing to put together an interim Cabinet, to take charge of the country's affairs until elections in October 2007.Thailand's new prime minister, Gen Surayud, is continuing to put together an interim Cabinet, to take charge of the country's affairs until elections in October 2007.
He said on Wednesday that he would make his Cabinet selection public early next week.He said on Wednesday that he would make his Cabinet selection public early next week.