MNLF-RP pact aimed at boosting stability

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)