RP: Peace in sight as talks with Moro rebels resume
RP: Peace in sight as talks with Moro rebels resume
PORT DICKSON, Malaysia (AFP): Philippine government negotiators and separatist Moro rebels began a new round of talks in Malaysia on Tuesday, with Manila upbeat about peace prospects.
"I don't only smell peace but I see peace already. There is a lot of optimism," chief government negotiator Jesus Dureza told AFP.
Indonesia, Malaysia and Libya have agreed to send observers to monitor the ceasefire agreed in Tripoli four weeks ago, he said.
Negotiators from the Moro Islamic Liberation front (MILF), which has waged a 23-year uprising for an independent state in the southern island of Mindanao, warned the government of the mainly Christian country to honor previous pacts.
But Dureza said the two sides had agreed to shelve discussion on the MILF's demand for an Islamic state. Instead they would talk about ways to shore up the ceasefire and develop the impoverished south.
"We are not talking about an independent Islamic state because if we put it immediately on the agenda we cannot move forward," Dureza said.
The MILF might eventually drop its independence demand if peace and development can be achieved, one negotiator told AFP. The two teams are due to meet until Aug. 3 at a beachfront hotel in this town south of Kuala Lumpur. Dureza said talks would be adjourned on Wednesday so he can return to Manila to brief President Gloria Arroyo.
Dureza, in opening remarks, said Manila would pursue peace "within the context of Philippine national sovereignty and territorial integrity, mindful of the rich cultural and religious heritage of our Muslim brothers in the country."
He added: "There can be no obstacle that cannot be hurdled, no differences that cannot be reconciled, no divergent aspirations that cannot be unified, if it is all in the name of peace."
He told AFP later the two sides would discuss ways to ensure the ceasefire holds and the boost development in the region. "We can sign a thousand peace agreements but if people are still miserable it is of no use," he said.
Dureza said a "mini-Marshall Plan" was being readied for Mindanao with the help of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and other countries.
Later on Tuesday the two sides would discuss setting up a joint secretariat between the government, the 12,500-member MILF and non-governmental organizations.
This would be jointly chaired by Manila and the MILF and would monitor development projects and the truce. The ceasefire was broken last Friday in a clash which left two soldiers injured.
"Of course there are many incidents on the ground ... there's a lot of work ahead to keep the peace and sustain the truce," Dureza said.
MILF chief negotiator Murad Ebrahim told the meeting that many past agreements had not been honored.
"Let me state that if these agreements are not observed, then to proceed further with the talks will be an exercise in futility."
Ebrahim urged Manila to review its policies, saying that "resorting to more repressive measures will exacerbate the situation and widen the scope of the conflict."
Senior negotiator Lanang Ali, asked about the independence goal, told AFP: "The first thing we want is a ceasefire, followed by development.
"Then the MILF will go to the Bangsa Moro (Muslim people) and ask if they want independence. If they say no need for independence, we have no reason to ask for independence.
"Our ultimate aim is a peaceful negotiated political settlement. We don't know how long it will take." Malaysian officials and Libya's ambassador Salem Adem also attended the first day of the talks.
According to Dureza, Adem emphasized that there should be no separatism in the southern Philippines.
Abu Sayyaf
Meanwhile, radio stations reported on Tuesday that Muslim guerrillas threatened to harm their 21 American and Filipino hostages and attack Christian villagers in retaliation for a massive government crackdown.
Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya called several radio stations in the southern city of Zamboanga on Monday to issue the threats, but was not put on air, they said.
The hostages, including U.S. Christian missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham of Kansas, are being held on the nearby island of Basilan.
Abu Sabaya also warned the rebels would kill Christian civilians in retaliation for the crackdown on their supporters ordered by President Arroyo two weeks ago.
If the military is capable of arresting Muslims, "we are also capable of executing Christian civilians," Sabaya was quoted as saying by a radio station manager who did not want to be named.
The rebels had executed four Filipino captives and claimed to have beheaded a third American hostage, Guillermo Sobero of California, although his remains have not been found.
Armed forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said they would hold the Abu Sayyaf responsible for any crimes committed against hostages or civilians. "We will not stop the crackdown until we get (Sabaya) and all his followers," Adan said in Manila.