Two offers given for peace talks<\/p>\n
GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines (AFP): The Philippine government
\nyesterday offered to back rebel leader Nur Misuari for the top
\nposition in a proposed Moslem autonomous region, in a bid to make
\nheadway in peace talks.<\/p>\n
As the three-day round of negotiations entered its second day,
\nthe two sides remained apart on a negotiated settlement to more
\nthan two decades of Islamic insurgency in the country's south.<\/p>\n
Chief state negotiator Manuel Yan told a news conference his
\npanel made two offers to Misuari, including a pledge of the
\nresources of President Fidel Ramos's powerful political party
\nshould he decide to run for governor in a proposed autonomous
\nregion.<\/p>\n
Manila also said Congress would pass an act to expand coverage
\nof the existing autonomous region -- now comprising four
\nprovinces and which Misuari's Moro National Liberation Front
\n(MNLF) never recognized -- provided the residents of the areas to
\nbe included agreed in a plebiscite.<\/p>\n
Opposition to the creation of an expanded autonomous region is
\nstrong among the Christian majority in the major southern island
\nof Mindanao, where the MNLF wants to rule through a provisional
\ngovernment encompassing 13 provinces and nine cities.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/two-offers-given-for-peace-talks-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}