Kalla insists Thai peace talks received 'valid authorization'

Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta ,

Vice President Jusuf Kalla has defended his role as a mediator representing the Indonesian government in recent peace negotiations between the Thai government and Muslim separatists in Thailand's south. | Sat, 09/27/2008 10:24 AM | Headlines

Among the Bangkok delegation was Kwanchart Klaharn, a former Fourth Army commander appointed in February by the Thai cabinet to serve as an adviser to then-defense minister Sundaravej.

However, a spokesman for Thailand's Foreign Ministry, Tharit Charungvat, denied the meeting took place, saying his government was not involved in any talks in Indonesia. He also denied that Thailand had asked Jakarta to act as mediator.

In response, Kalla said he received authorization to serve as mediator during former Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's visit to Jakarta earlier this year.

"The authorization is still valid despite the leadership change in Thailand. I confirmed with the Thai government before hosting the peace talks (in Bogor)," Kalla told reporters Friday.

The Vice President acknowledged the negotiations did not involve officials from either Thailand's or Indonesia's foreign ministries as the subject matter of the talks centered on a domestic Thai issue.

"If foreign ministries from both countries had been involved in the peace talks, it would make (the Thai conflicts) seem like a bilateral problem," he said.

During the talks, Kalla was accompanied by political experts and aides, including Indonesian Ambassador to Thailand M. Hatta.

Kalla declined to offer details on the outcome of the talks.

"As a mediator, the Indonesian government cannot publicize the results of the talks. It's an ethical matter. Only the negotiating parties from the Thai government or the Thai Muslim south can make statements to the public concerning the negotiations," he added.

"I respect that code of ethics. I offered both sides the chance to speak to the press after the meeting, but both delegations declined."

Kalla also criticized Presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal for "leaking" the results of the meeting to the media.

"I have warned him (Dino). We must uphold ethical standards here or the peace talks could collapse," he said.

Dino earlier stated second round negotiations would take place on Nov. 1 and 2, with third round talks scheduled for mid-November.

Asked if he was applying the success of the cease-fire arranged in Aceh to resolve the conflict in Thailand, Vice President Kalla demurred.

"But the principles adopted at peace talks involve *give and take'. We have been entrusted, as a middle party, with bridging the trust between the two Thai groups. What would happen if we couldn't live up to that trust?" he said.

Kalla was the driving force behind the 2005 Aceh peace agreement that ended the three-decade conflict with Acehnese separatists.

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