Thailand: January 9, 2005

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It appears that efforts by al Qaeda connected Islamic radicals have tried to get some organized violence going in southern Thailand, and have so far failed. The police have arrested religious leaders who were encouraging such violence, and no one else has stepped in to form a nucleus for an Islamic terrorist organization. The attacks that are being made appear to be on the initiative of individuals. The government appears willing to send a lot of economic aid to southern Thailand, to rapidly rebuild the tourist, fishing and other industries damaged by the tidal waves. This will prevent Islamic radicals from capitalizing on the disaster to recruit more terrorists.