The Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC)'s secretary-general, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, issued a statement on November 5 concerning the public apology made by the prime minister last week to Muslims in the deep South for the previous government's mistakes.

The statement was the OIC's first positive assessment of Thailand's handling of the situation in the deep South, according to a Thai official who works closely with the Saudi-based Islamic organisation.

Ihsanoglu also welcomed Surayud's confirmation of the government's willingness to solve the region's problems on the basis of negotiation and the reconstitution of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC).

 "The OIC secretary-general expressed his conviction that the continuation of this 'correct' approach by the Thai government will pave the way for finding a peaceful solution to the problems of Muslims in the country," the statement said.

Ihsanoglu said his organisation is ready to contribute in any way possible to the creation of an environment that will achieve peace in the region.

During the administration of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the OIC consistently expressed strong concerns over the violence which has rocked the predominantly Muslim deep South since the beginning of 2004. More than 1,700 people have died on an almost daily basis since then.

The bloody Kru Se uprising and the Tak Bai protest - in which 106 and 85 Muslims died, respectively, at the hands of officials - caused international outrage and brought strong condemnation from the OIC.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation