Moro talks end on high note despite unresolved issues<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and
\nthe Philippine government expressed satisfaction yesterday at the
\nconclusion of their peace talks, despite failing to resolve core
\nissues of defense and the implementation of a Moro provisional
\nautonomous government.<\/p>\n
\"Although the unresolved issues have been much reduced, those
\nthat remain happen to be the most crucial,\" Minister of Foreign
\nAffairs Ali Alatas said during yesterday's closing ceremony of
\nthe second formal peace talks between the MNLF and the
\nPhilippines.<\/p>\n
Alatas said that although the negotiations, hosted and
\nmediated by Indonesia, achieved significant progress with the
\nsigning of an Interim Agreement, these crucial issues still
\nremain a formidable undertaking.<\/p>\n
Apart from the structure of the provisional government,
\nburning questions surrounding the incorporation of MNLF troops
\ninto the Philippine national army remain unanswered.<\/p>\n
\"Unlike the previous round, we had to deal with highly
\nproblematic and contentious issues,\" said MNLF chairman Nur
\nMisuari.<\/p>\n
The peace talks, held under the auspices of the Organization
\nof the Islamic Conference (OIC), began at the Borobudur Inter-
\nContinental Hotel on Thursday as a continuation of last
\nNovember's first round of talks with Misuari leading the MNLF
\ndelegation and former Philippine ambassador to Jakarta, Manuel T.
\nYan, representing Manila.<\/p>\n
Known as Moros, the five million Filipino Moslems have been
\nstriving for self-rule for over three centuries in the
\npredominantly Roman Catholic nation.<\/p>\n
Though failing to settle the core issues, both Yan and Misuari
\ndisplayed their satisfaction with the latest developments in the
\ntalks.<\/p>\n
\"We all know that expectations have been quite higher than
\nwhat we could actually attain here,\" Yan said.<\/p>\n
The Interim Agreement signed by both sides yesterday
\nincorporated the arrangements reached on the rights of the
\nautonomous government in the economic, educational and judicial
\nfields.<\/p>\n
Among the most significant was the consent given the
\nautonomous government to set up banks, issue debt papers and
\nprocure domestic loans.<\/p>\n
The autonomous government will also have the right to
\nestablish its own educational curriculum and use the Arabic
\nlanguage in teaching religious studies.<\/p>\n
Misuari noted that with the achievements of the second round,
\n\"the picture has undoubtedly become more visible.\"<\/p>\n
To further facilitate negotiations, it was agreed that a
\nworking group on the structure and mechanism of the provisional
\ngovernment begin meeting again on Sept. 30 in the Philippines.<\/p>\n
It was also agreed that Yan and Misuari would meet again in
\nJakarta in mid-1995 for what is projected to be the final round
\nof talks.<\/p>\n
Earlier yesterday, Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Feisal
\nTanjung revealed that Indonesia had prepared at least 10 men to
\nact as military observers to help monitor the 10-month cease-fire
\nbetween the MNLF and Philippine forces.<\/p>\n
Though the topic was discussed during the negotiations, no one
\nwould disclose the actual size, time or budget of the observer
\nteam. (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/moro-talks-end-on-high-note-despite-unresolved-issues-1447893297",
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