Invitation to Thai PM to visit Malaysia a positive sign

Bangkok - Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama on Monday described as a positive signal an invitation from Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to his Thai counterpart Samak Sundaravej to visit his country.

He said the two prime ministers would meet at an appropriate time to discuss security problems in Thailand`s restive south which is also a security problem for neighbouring Malaysia.

The Malaysian premier, offering to work with Thailand`s new government to help Muslims in the three insurgency-plagued southernmost provinces, said he looked forward to meeting Mr. Samak to discuss how to help Thai locals and restore peace to the area for the benefit of both countries.

"We have expressed our willingness to cooperate with Thailand to help the Muslims in the South along the border with Malaysia," Abdullah was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

"I want to discuss this with the new Thai prime minister. I think it is a good thing that we give attention to the situation in southern Thailand."

More than 2,800 people have been killed since the unrest broke out in January 2004 in the South.

Malaysia`s Defence Ministry said Sunday it had stepped up security along its border with Thailand, with a 3,600-strong regiment upgraded to full-time status to patrol the more than 500-kilometre frontier.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Najib Razak said Malaysia`s rapidly growing economy was becoming increasingly attractive to illegal immigrants and smugglers.

Source: enews.mcot.net (12 Februari 2008)
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