While not opposed outright to a role for Malaysian authorities in a new dialogue, the rebels met last month by Davis had emphasized it was “not sufficient”.
“There need to be other international actors involved as, bluntly speaking, we are deeply suspicious of any form of dialogue with the Thai government which does not involve the international community,” the man identified as Yusuf is reported as saying.
“Wherever there is a political dialogue between belligerents, you will find the involvement of the international community, be it in the shape of other states or international non-governmental organizations. This is entirely normal,” he added.
The Thai junta — which overthrew an elected government in a coup and seized power in May last year — has so far rejected any international involvement beyond the Malaysian facilitation, because — in the eyes of the Thai military — it would internationalize an issue they consider a purely domestic matter.