MNLF moves a step closer to autonomy
MNLF moves a step closer to autonomy
JAKARTA (JP): The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) moved a step closer to autonomy yesterday as they signed an interim agreement with representatives from Manila although its actual implementation still remains unresolved.
"It is safe to say the future is now very, very bright," MNLF chairman Nur Misuari said.
The interim agreement was signed with Manila's chief negotiator Manuel T. Yan at the end of the Third Round of Formal Peace Talks.
The five-day Peace Talks achieved full consensus in five main areas - the economic and financial system, education, the judiciary and introduction of Shariah law, and the administrative system which pertains to representation in the national government, executive council and the legislative assembly.
"Very soon we will be able to fulfill our dreams," Misuari remarked.
Known as the Moros, some five-million Filipino Moslems, mostly on the island of Mindanao, have been fighting for self-rule in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.
Under the aegis of the Organization of Islamic Conference, Indonesia has been facilitating and hosting the peace talks. The First Round of Peace Talks were held here in 1993.
Both sides have resigned themselves to a Fourth Round of Peace Talks which will be held here sometime next year.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas could not finalize the date but affirmed that the next meeting "will be the last round."
He further confirmed that as long as they are needed, Indonesian officials will continue to be assigned in the southern Philippines to help oversee the interim cease-fire which was signed between the MNLF and Manila in 1993.
The issues remaining include the incorporation of the MNLF into the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Delegates have thus far agreed that MNLF forces will initially join as distinct units before being gradually merged and the respective authorities of commanders from both forces in the joining of units.
Nevertheless the total number of forces absorbed into AFP has yet to be worked out.
While agreement on the structure of the transitional government has been reached, delegates have not decided on the designation of the head of the autonomous region.
The biggest hurdle however remains the mechanism for implementing autonomy.
Manila argues that under its Constitution a plebiscite must be held, while the MNLF maintains that such an act would go against the letter and spirit of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement which has become the basis of the Peace Talks.
Alatas yesterday called on both sides to "reach deep into your reserves of goodwill" to bring these issues to a conclusive end soon.
He cautioned that delegates considering the resolution of the remaining issues to take into account the time left available.
"We do have a little more time but we do not have forever," he warned.
Yan affirmed his government's commitment to the process and the last drive to reach a final agreement.
"Our search for bold and innovative solutions to the outstanding issues shall be broad and unrelenting...We shall not cease until we have examined every nook and cranny of our Constitutional universe," he said.
Answering questions on whether the current interim agreement would be enough to satisfy the Moro people who have become increasingly impatient in the search for autonomy, Misuari confidently replied that it would.
He said the results of the talks would "satisfy the peoples' expectations more than half-way."
He still noted that there were some extremist elements, who would not be pleased with it "but they are people who are difficult to satisfy anyway."(mds)
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