President asks rebel aboard yacht

President asks rebel aboard yacht

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Philippine leader Joseph Estrada
on Friday invited the chief of the country's largest remaining
rebel group to visit him aboard the presidential yacht to make
peace.

Estrada, who is in the south for a five-day visit, said
preparations were being made for his possible meeting with Moro
Islamic Liberation Front chairman Hashim Salamat, but that
"nothing is final yet".

"I'm inviting him to come on the presidential yacht," Estrada
told reporters in this southern port city. He also assured
Salamat of his safety should he decide to accept the invitation
for peace talks.

"Only four of Salamat's escorts will be allowed to come on
the ship. It's a matter of trust with each other, so he doesn't
need armed bodyguards," Estrada said.