Yogyakarta, <em><strong>NU Online</strong></em><br /> Indonesia has agreed to help Thailand find a solution to violence plaguing the southern part of the country.<br /> <br /> Indonesian Foreign Ministry director for East Asia and Pacific affairs Yuri Thamrin said Thai leaders had asked the Indonesian government for suggestions on how to overcome conflict in several Muslim-majority provinces in the south.<><br /> <br /> "As a good neighbor, we have accepted Thailand's request. We will support a peaceful solution within the framework of Thailand's territorial integration as we have had some similar experiences, such as finding a solution to the conflict in Aceh," he told <em>The Jakarta Post</em> on Monday.<br /> <br /> Yuri confirmed the visit of military coup leader Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin to Indonesia last week to meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Indonesian Military commander Air Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto was partly to request Indonesia's support.<br /> <br /> He said Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont also said he hoped Indonesia could be involved in finding a peaceful solution to the problem when he visited the country several months ago.<br /> <br /> Yuri said Indonesian officials and religious leaders had established communication with residents and leaders in southern Thailand.<br /> <br /> "Our religious leaders have talked with Southern Thai leaders to identify the source of the problem," he said.<br /> <br /> Thailand's three southernmost provinces are the only Muslim-majority provinces in the predominately Buddhist country. Since 2004, they have been the site of an insurgency that has led to more than 2,200 deaths.<br /> <br /> Aside from the fact Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, its involvement in solving the crisis is seen as important by observers due to alleged links between Muslim militants in Indonesia and southern Thailand.<br /> <br /> Allegations of such links have focused on training and indoctrination Thai Muslim militants may have received in Indonesia. However, recent reports have suggested Indonesians may also be in southern Thailand training insurgents and taking part in their activities. (dar)<br />

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