MILF accuses RP of lying

MILF accuses RP of lying

PHILIPPINES: A Philippine Moro separatist group on Thursday
denied it had terrorist links and accused the government of
making up the allegations to increase U.S. pressure on the group.

Eid Kabalu, spokesman for the separatist Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF), brushed off U.S. warnings Washington
would withhold millions of dollars in development aid to Muslim
areas unless the rebels cut their ties to groups such as the
Jamaah Islamiyah (JI).

"This is a recycled allegation and we have nothing to cut
because there are really no ties," Kabalu said.

U.S. ambassador to the Philippines Francis Ricciardone said on
Wednesday the U.S. Congress had earmarked US$30 million for areas
controlled by the 12,500-strong MILF once a peace agreement was
signed with Manila.

But he warned that the MILF would lose access to the funds
unless they cut all links to the JI, a regional militant group
blamed for last October's bombing in Bali that killed more than
200 people and other deadly attacks.

Kabalu said allegations of MILF links to the JI were "part of
the pressure which is favorable to the (Philippine) government
for us to come to an agreement."

"The MILF will not succumb to pressure because what we want
here is genuine peace," he added. -- AFP