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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