Misuari takes oath as governor

Misuari takes oath as governor

COTABATO, Philippines (AFP): Former Moslem rebel chief Nur
Misuari yesterday took the oath as governor of a four-province
Moslem autonomous area and was called "a friend and brother" by
President Fidel Ramos, who had once fought against him.

Ramos administered the oath to Misuari, chairman of the former
Moslem insurgent Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), in this
southern city in festive but well-secured ceremonies.

In his speech, Misuari appealed to Moslems, Christians and
tribal groups to work together to help the underdeveloped Moslem
autonomous region catch up with the rest of the mostly Roman
Catholic country.

"We are waging a new kind of war, a war in which... everyone
would become victorious. All our people in this region... shall
become participants... for this shall be war against
backwardness, poverty, lawlessness and unresponsive government,"
he said.

Hundreds of MNLF fighters, still dressed in fatigues but not
carrying their weapons, attended the ceremonies. Ramos, who as a
military leader himself fought against Misuari-led forces, said
"Governor Misuari shall have me as a friend and brother."