Thaksin warns foreigners not to criticize crackdown - TH

[dArKeR]

COMBAT: The Thai leader, responding to concerns that his security forces had used excessive force to kill 107 suspected Islamic militants, told foreigners to `leave us alone'

AP , PATTANI, THAILAND
Sunday, May 02, 2004,Page 5

In a combative speech to the nation, Thailand's leader yesterday warned foreigners not to criticize his government's crackdown on suspected Islamic militants this week that left more than 100 people dead after what many say was the use of excessive force.

"Please don't intervene. Please leave us alone," Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said in a radio speech.

"It is my job and we can cope with this matter. We are trying to explain this to foreigners. But if they do not understand or ignore our explanation, I don't care because we are not begging them for food," Thaksin said.

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