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)