Who said the talks will not be negotiations? [originaltext] The general who l

The general who led Thailand’s military ouster says he has agreed to hold talks with rebel leaders. General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin said the talks will not be negotiations. He said the rebel groups believe talks are the only way to end almost three years of fighting. The groups have killed hundreds of people in the south of the country. Last month Mr. Sondhi led the ousting of Thaksin Shinawatra as Prime Minister. A former army chief Surayud Chulanont replaced Mr. Thaksin. The new prime minister said his government will work to calm the provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala. One thousand six hundred people in those areas have died in bomb and gun attacks since 2004.