Moro talks end on high note despite unresolved issues
JAKARTA (JP): The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Philippine government expressed satisfaction yesterday at the conclusion of their peace talks, despite failing to resolve core issues of defense and the implementation of a Moro provisional autonomous government.
"Although the unresolved issues have been much reduced, those that remain happen to be the most crucial," Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said during yesterday's closing ceremony of the second formal peace talks between the MNLF and the Philippines.
Alatas said that although the negotiations, hosted and mediated by Indonesia, achieved significant progress with the signing of an Interim Agreement, these crucial issues still remain a formidable undertaking.
Apart from the structure of the provisional government, burning questions surrounding the incorporation of MNLF troops into the Philippine national army remain unanswered.
"Unlike the previous round, we had to deal with highly problematic and contentious issues," said MNLF chairman Nur Misuari.
The peace talks, held under the auspices of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), began at the Borobudur Inter- Continental Hotel on Thursday as a continuation of last November's first round of talks with Misuari leading the MNLF delegation and former Philippine ambassador to Jakarta, Manuel T. Yan, representing Manila.
Known as Moros, the five million Filipino Moslems have been striving for self-rule for over three centuries in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.
Though failing to settle the core issues, both Yan and Misuari displayed their satisfaction with the latest developments in the talks.
"We all know that expectations have been quite higher than what we could actually attain here," Yan said.
The Interim Agreement signed by both sides yesterday incorporated the arrangements reached on the rights of the autonomous government in the economic, educational and judicial fields.
Among the most significant was the consent given the autonomous government to set up banks, issue debt papers and procure domestic loans.
The autonomous government will also have the right to establish its own educational curriculum and use the Arabic language in teaching religious studies.
Misuari noted that with the achievements of the second round, "the picture has undoubtedly become more visible."
To further facilitate negotiations, it was agreed that a working group on the structure and mechanism of the provisional government begin meeting again on Sept. 30 in the Philippines.
It was also agreed that Yan and Misuari would meet again in Jakarta in mid-1995 for what is projected to be the final round of talks.
Earlier yesterday, Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung revealed that Indonesia had prepared at least 10 men to act as military observers to help monitor the 10-month cease-fire between the MNLF and Philippine forces.
Though the topic was discussed during the negotiations, no one would disclose the actual size, time or budget of the observer team. (mds)