The world's largest Islamic organisation appealed to the Surayud government yesterday to provide safety for Muslims in the deep South.

Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) secretary-general Professor Ekmeled-din Ihsanoglu met with Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram for an hour in Bangkok yesterday.

Speaking to reporters after, Nitya said the government was trying to safeguard innocent residents from becoming victims of violence in the strife-torn region.

"But incidents still occur. It does not mean we have been unsuccessful, and nor is it from lack of trying," Nitya said.

He vowed increased security efforts for those in the far South.

Many residents who were not engaged in "militancy or partisan activities" were being killed and injured, he said.

"This has not been perpetrated by the authorities but they are victims who suffer and it's a terrible fate; many have died," he said.

The OIC is concerned about protracted violence in the region and the treatment of the area's Muslim majority.

The organisation condemned the previous government for its heavy-handed approach to the conflict and blamed it for the deaths of many Muslims. It aired concern after the April 2004 uprising that saw more than 100 killed in Yala and the Tak Bai tragedy in October the same year.

The OIC softened its stance after lobbying by the Thaksin Shinawatra administration and the change of approach by the new military-backed government.

Ihsanoglu arrived in Thailand yesterday to follow up on developments. It is his first trip to the Kingdom but only brief - he departs tomorrow.

"We are encouraged by the new government's policies towards the Muslim population and we support measures taken by the government and we hope to cooperate in the future," Ihsanoglu told reporters.

He said several measures the OIC believed could contain the violence were discussed. The details of these would appear in a joint statement later.

They would include welfare, economic, social and educational initiatives, Nitya revealed.

Ihsanoglu is due to meet the prime minister, Army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin and Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre boss Pranai Suwannarat, plus local Muslim leaders such as Yala Islamic University rector Ismail Lutfi Japakiya.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation