Fourth meeting of Moro peace talks imminent
Fourth meeting of Moro peace talks imminent
JAKARTA (JP): The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Philippine government may have to resign themselves to a fourth round of talks as current peace talks seemed to be bogged down on the mechanisms for implementing autonomy.
Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said yesterday that if the current proceedings fail to settle the remaining issues, then a new round of peace talks would have to be conducted.
"If it cannot be resolved (now), then possibly there will be a fourth meeting," he stated.
Indonesia is facilitating peace talks between the MNLF and Manila. The Third Round of Peace Talks is scheduled to end later this afternoon after five-days of intense negotiations here in Jakarta.
Attending the talks are MNLF chairman Nur Misuari and Manila chief negotiator Manuel Yan.
Delegates from both sides have also noted the likelihood of another round of talks.
Yan admitted yesterday evening that talks seemed to continue to another round. Despite the deadlock, he maintained the talks were still a success.
Issues which remain pending include Manila's demands for a plebiscite in the southern Philippines. The MNLF strongly opposes the idea because it goes against the spirit of the 1976 Tripoli agreement which is the basis of the peace process.
"There is some minor progress on substance issues however based on the latest reports the mechanism for its implementation is still being discussed," Alatas said.
He remained hopeful that progress can be made on these issues as there is one more day of talks to go.
Contemplation
"But if it is still stuck then we of course cannot force things, maybe it needs some further contemplation," he added.
An interim agreement is still scheduled to be signed later this after at the closing of the talks.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported from Manila yesterday that President Fidel Ramos had aired his confidence that the talks would reach a successful conclusion despite crucial differences.
Ramos said he had received a letter from Misuari and Yan, pledging to reach agreement.
"I am confident that such a determined spirit on the part of all those on the negotiating table will continue to nurture the talks to a successful conclusion," Ramos said in a statement.
Negotiations to end the 23-year-old war, which has already claimed the lives of 50,000 people, were expected to go to a fourth round.
Both sides are seeking to finalize plans for the automonous region for minority Moslems on Mindanao.
The third round of talks was hosted by Indonesia and sponsored by the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
Agreement has already been reached on economic issues like control of state companies, Islamic law, education and government administration in the proposed autonomous region.
More than 80 percent of the 68 million people in the Philippines are Roman Catholics. (mds)