Moro peace talks enter `tough' issues
Moro peace talks enter `tough' issues
JAKARTA (JP): After four days of deliberations, peace talks
between the Philippine government and the Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF) will now focus on the formation of a
provisional government for the Moro autonomous territory.
"(We are) in the area where more serious and difficult
problems begin," said Indonesia's chief mediator S. Wiryono.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday, Wiryono said that despite
the tremendous progress, the delegates have yet to achieve much
in this field.
Peace talks between representatives from Manila, headed by
former ambassador to Indonesia Manuel Yan, and the MNLF, lead by
their chairman Nur Misuari, began here on Thursday.
The talks are being conducted under the auspices of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) with Indonesia
acting as both mediator and host. The first formal peace talks
were held here last November.
Though scheduled to end later this evening, Wiryono has not
ruled out the possibility of extending the talks.
"They recognize that the two sides are still apart...we are
realistic enough to know the remaining problems are very tough
problems that would need time," he said.
Known as Moros, the Filipino Moslems number some five million
in a country whose 65 million population is predominantly
Catholic. The Moros have long sought autonomy in the southern
part of the Philippines.
During the opening day of talks on Thursday, agreements were
reached relating to the education and judicial authority of the
autonomous government.
Elaborating on the latest developments, Wiryono said the two
sides have agreed on a number of economic issues.
He noted that the autonomous government would have the right
to establish banks and issue debt papers in consultation with the
central bank of the Philippines.
The autonomous government could also accept foreign financial
and economic grants for development and welfare, while, as a
corporate body, it may contract domestic loans.
In spite of these encouraging results, 15 points remain to be
discussed in the economic field along with defense and security
issues which have yet to be resolved.
Budget
Touching on the matter of military observers, Wiryono said a
small working group has been created to estimate the required
budget.
He would not reveal the approximate cost, saying only that it
would be smaller than the standard United Nations peacekeeping
operation.
"We are doing it on a frugal basis," he remarked, adding that
the observer team would be equipped with small arms only.
In light of the considerable work ahead it remains to be seen
whether Indonesia can expedite the talks to meet today's
deadline.
"How far we can move forward depends on both delegations,"
Wiryono said while aptly remarking that "every minute costs, and
we are not rich people." (mds)