MNLF-RP pact aimed at boosting stability

MANILA (JP): Indonesia says it hopes the peace agreement between the Philippine government and Moslem-secessionist Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) signed here yesterday will boost stability in Southeast Asia.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said Southeast Asia yearns to see the Philippines united and at peace with itself.

"I have no doubt that a people determined to achieve national reconciliation and unity as well as peace and prosperity in the southern Philippines will overcome whatever challenges there may arise," he said.

Alatas made these remarks at the signing ceremony for the final peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front at the Malacanang presidential palace.

Both the Philippine government and the MNLF leaders gave great credit to Alatas and President Soeharto for the success of the peace talks that Indonesia had facilitated since 1993.

Alatas described the peace deal as "an important step toward the realization of a politically stable, socially cohesive and economically progressive Southeast Asia.

"In a very real sense, it will move us yet closer to our goal of a new regional order of durable peace and stability, shared prosperity and mutual tolerance," Alatas said.

Alatas is the chairman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ministerial Committee, which played a pivotal role in the peace talks.

The six committee members are Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Bangladesh, Senegal and Somalia. The ministerial committee was established following a conference in Istanbul in 1991; Indonesia joined it a year later and was later elected chairman.

At the request of the disputing parties, Indonesia hosted the first peace talks at Cipanas, West Java, in April 1993.

The first formal meeting after the Cipanas talks took place in Jakarta from Oct. 25 through Nov. 7, 1993. It resulted in the signing of a memorandum of agreement and an interim cease-fire.

Subsequent meetings focused on the substantive aspects of autonomy and a mechanism for a provisional government in the self-declared autonomous southern Philippine provinces.

The provinces' autonomy is to cover national defense, regional security forces, education, economic and financial systems, mines, minerals, administration, representation in national government, legislative assembly executive council, judiciary and the introduction of shariah law.

Alatas told reporters the peace deal was especially beneficial for the Philippines because it would allow development assistance for the southern provinces to flow from more parts of the world.

Indonesia, Alatas said, would offer its agricultural expertise and Islamic religious propagation. "The OIC can also be a major donor for the development in the southern provinces," he added.

He said the peace agreement was expected to spur the development of the East Asian Growth Area (EAGA) scheme which brings together Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. (pan)