Thai leader says he's closing in on militant leaders

[dArKeR]

AP , BANGKOK
Sunday, Mar 21, 2004,Page 2

Prime Minister Thaksin Shina-watra said yesterday that Thai authorities are close to finding the "masterminds" behind the escalating violence in southern Thailand.

"I will not lose" in the fight against the militants, Thaksin said in his weekly radio address.

Thaksin's optimistic assessment came a day after he removed the national police chief and the army commander of the southern provinces for their failure to stop the unrest in the three Muslim-dominated provinces of Thailand, which is predominantly Buddhist.

At least 50 people -- mostly security forces and village officials -- have been killed there in hit-and-run attacks by unidentified gunmen since the torching of 21 schools and the theft of weapons from a military armory on Jan. 4.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/03/21/2003107146