Arroyo to visit Malaysia soon

Mon, 06 Aug 2001, 00:00 WIB | Source: AFP

MANILA (AFP): In her first overseas foray since taking office
in January, Philippine President Gloria Arroyo will visit
Malaysia this week as the two neighbors try to end a long and
bloody Filipino Muslim rebellion.

Predominantly-Muslim Malaysia is currently hosting talks
between Manila and the largest Philippine separatist Muslim
group. There are expectations of a peace pact being clinched
during Arroyo's trip.

Malaysia once provided arms and sanctuary to rebels fighting
for a separate Muslim state in the southern third of the
predominantly-Christian Philippine archipelago.

Kuala Lumpur's tacit support for the armed rebellion stemmed
from Manila's historical claim over Malaysia's Sabah state,
revived by Arroyo's father the late President Diosdado Macapagal
in 1963.

Analysts said Arroyo and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad would sidestep "prickly issues" and focus on ending
decades of fighting in the southern Philippines so that they
could speed up development of border areas for mutual benefit.

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