Moro talks end on high note despite unresolved issues

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)