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)