Posted on 08/13/2003 2:42:50 PM PDT by knighthawk
AFTER almost two years of denying the threat of terrorism in Thailand, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has suddenly declared the country a potential "breeding ground" for terrorists, and rushed through anti-terror laws by executive decree.
The move comes amid increased security jitters in the wake of the Marriott hotel bombing in Jakarta last week, although analysts said it was probably a bid to convince US President George W. Bush and world leaders due to visit Thailand for an Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation meeting in October that Thailand was now taking terrorism seriously.
The decrees, which came into effect at midnight on Monday, allow acts of terror to be punished by up to 20 years' jail or death. They also allow suspected terrorists to be searched, arrested and tried and their assets to be frozen.
Their sudden implementation, without sanction by parliament, reflects fears Thailand may have become a safe haven for the region's terror fugitives as well as a possible target for attack.
But it has also resulted in a domestic political backlash. Many human rights groups and opposition parliamentarians accuse the Government of issuing "draconian" measures that infringe civil liberties.
Mr Thaksin dismissed those concerns yesterday, saying the law was not about "human rights, but will affect terrorists coming from abroad, who in the past we could not arrest".
The House of Representatives and the Senate will be able to accept or reject the law – but not amend it – in the next few weeks, but the decree remains in effect until the law passes through parliament.
Mr Thaksin had previously denied terrorists posed a threat in Thailand, concerned such an admission would destroy the country's largest foreign exchange earner, tourism.
His change of heart came after he went to Washington for a meeting with Mr Bush in May. While he was there, police arrested three Thais alleged to be planning to target embassies, including the Australian embassy, for attacks timed with the upcoming APEC leaders summit.
Mr Thaksin continued to assert that known Jemaah Islamiah fugitives – including regional operations chief Hambali – were not in Thailand. However, intelligence sources still put southern Thailand as Hambali's most likely hiding place.
"Given the incidents that have taken place in neighbouring countries, we must be prepared," Mr Thaksin said, warning that Thailand could become a "terrorist breeding ground" without his actions.
Mr Thaksin said he would seek parliamentary approval for the decree, but wanted to push it through in preparation for the APEC meeting, to be attended by Mr Bush, John Howard and 19 other Pacific Rim leaders.
Thai police have long complained that they have been restrained from investigating or arresting suspected al-Qa'ida and JI associates known to be in Thailand because of the lack of anti-terror laws.
But senior police figures dismissed the suggestion the sudden new law was designed with a singular arrest in mind.
"We will use it," a senior Thai police source said yesterday. "But no, we don't have any immediate suspects yet."
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE - Travel Warning: "SAUDI ARABIA" (TRAVEL WARNING SNIPPET: "The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia. Americans are reminded of the potential for further terrorist actions against U.S. citizens abroad, including in the Persian Gulf region. The U.S. Government has received indications of terrorist threats aimed at American and Western interests, including the targeting of transportation and civil aviation. There is credible information that terrorists have targeted Western aviation interests in Saudi Arabia. American citizens in Saudi Arabia should remain vigilant, particularly in public places such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, hotels, schools, airports, outdoor recreation events, resorts and beaches, etc.") (August 13, 2003) (Read More...)
GUARDIAN.co.uk: "ISLAM AT THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER Internet porn is popular in Muslim countries but so are online fatwas and 'e-jihad', writes Brian Whitaker" (August 11, 2003) (Read More...)
On The Net...AS-SABEEL.com - AS-SABEEL AGENCY - "INTERVIEWS" (PAGE SNIPPET: "In this section, read some interviews with Mujaahideen such as the martyred commander Ibn Al-Khattaab, Usamah Bin Laden, Mullah ‘Umar and many more. We will Insha Allah also be adding our own exclusive interviews with brothers who have trained/fought fee sabeelillah from various countries.")
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