Opposition leader ready to disclose information on Thaksin’s alleged secret talks

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BANGKOK, April 8 – The opposition is ready to disclose information on alleged talks between ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and southern insurgent leaders, said Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Sunday.

His remarks came after the government told the opposition to reveal information regarding its claims that ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra held talks with insurgent leaders.

The opposition side stated they are willing to reveal this information privately, as this is an important matter and the existing problem is related to several ongoing matters.

All parties concerned should be present to acknowledge the information, which he said does not only come from websites but also from confirmation of parties involved in the talks.

Regarding Pol Col Thawee Sodsong, secretary-general of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre meeting an entrepreneur of the Tom Yam Kung club, which operates restaurants in Malaysia, Mr Abhisit said they have met several times and the opposition has gathered information from many parties including Malaysian authorities.

Meanwhile, Anusorn Iamsa-ard, the acting government spokesman affirmed that Mr Thaksin is not involved in intervening in the government’s policies and called for the opposition leader to disclose their evidence and take legal action if he has pictures or video clips. He said the opposition should not accuse Mr Thaksin without evidence.

The spokesman said the government and the army have no policies to negotiate with insurgents.

Songkhla MP Thaworn Senneam on Thursday cited informed sources as saying that Mr Thaksin recently held talks with the Pattani United Liberation Organisation (PULO) in a neighbouring country.

The Democrat MPs asked the government to investigate the PULO website where Mr Thaksin was said to be pictured embracing its leader.

The pace of violence has picked up since militants first raided an army base in Narathiwat early 2004, reviving long-running tensions and triggering an insurgency along the Muslim-majority region bordering Malaysia.