Moro peace talks enter `tough' issues<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): After four days of deliberations, peace talks
\nbetween the Philippine government and the Moro National
\nLiberation Front (MNLF) will now focus on the formation of a
\nprovisional government for the Moro autonomous territory.<\/p>\n
"(We are) in the area where more serious and difficult
\nproblems begin," said Indonesia's chief mediator S. Wiryono.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists on Saturday, Wiryono said that despite
\nthe tremendous progress, the delegates have yet to achieve much
\nin this field.<\/p>\n
Peace talks between representatives from Manila, headed by
\nformer ambassador to Indonesia Manuel Yan, and the MNLF, lead by
\ntheir chairman Nur Misuari, began here on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The talks are being conducted under the auspices of the
\nOrganization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) with Indonesia
\nacting as both mediator and host. The first formal peace talks
\nwere held here last November.<\/p>\n
Though scheduled to end later this evening, Wiryono has not
\nruled out the possibility of extending the talks.<\/p>\n
"They recognize that the two sides are still apart...we are
\nrealistic enough to know the remaining problems are very tough
\nproblems that would need time," he said.<\/p>\n
Known as Moros, the Filipino Moslems number some five million
\nin a country whose 65 million population is predominantly
\nCatholic. The Moros have long sought autonomy in the southern
\npart of the Philippines.<\/p>\n
During the opening day of talks on Thursday, agreements were
\nreached relating to the education and judicial authority of the
\nautonomous government.<\/p>\n
Elaborating on the latest developments, Wiryono said the two
\nsides have agreed on a number of economic issues.<\/p>\n
He noted that the autonomous government would have the right
\nto establish banks and issue debt papers in consultation with the
\ncentral bank of the Philippines.<\/p>\n
The autonomous government could also accept foreign financial
\nand economic grants for development and welfare, while, as a
\ncorporate body, it may contract domestic loans.<\/p>\n
In spite of these encouraging results, 15 points remain to be
\ndiscussed in the economic field along with defense and security
\nissues which have yet to be resolved.<\/p>\n
Budget<\/p>\n
Touching on the matter of military observers, Wiryono said a
\nsmall working group has been created to estimate the required
\nbudget.<\/p>\n
He would not reveal the approximate cost, saying only that it
\nwould be smaller than the standard United Nations peacekeeping
\noperation.<\/p>\n
"We are doing it on a frugal basis," he remarked, adding that
\nthe observer team would be equipped with small arms only.<\/p>\n
In light of the considerable work ahead it remains to be seen
\nwhether Indonesia can expedite the talks to meet today's
\ndeadline.<\/p>\n
"How far we can move forward depends on both delegations,"
\nWiryono said while aptly remarking that "every minute costs, and
\nwe are not rich people." (mds)<\/p>",
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