Too much time wasted

Third World countries are used to encountering internal ethnic, ideological and religious differences. Often, these conflicts turn into bloody ones which sap resources, disrupt people's lives and lead to a host of other problems.

Through strong leadership, as in the case of Peru for example, some have managed to resolve such differences. The same cannot be said of Indonesia, Algeria or Sri Lanka, however.

But questions arise as to the methods used.

Usually, steps taken to neutralize the problems are harsh and any success achieved is criticized as having been due to stepping on the backs of other people.

In the case of the Philippines, it seems that some unreasonable demands from a dwindling band of leftist insurgents and a waning Muslem secessionist movement come up every time the government tries to settle its differences with them.

Take, for example, the Communist Party of the Philippines' (CPP) recent postulation that a newly-captured regional leader be released before talks can start in Belgium, or the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leaders insistence that a provisional government with judicial, executive and legislative powers be established first if hostilities between their followers and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are to cease.

These two groups have been trying to destabilize the Philippine government for more than two decades. The MNLF started their struggle for a separate homeland during the time of Ferdinand Marcos, who waged a relentless war to annihilate them.

Those who survived and still challenge the government have now turned to banditry, kidnapping and piracy in a desperate attempt to keep a dying cause alive.

On the other hand, the CPP has been marginalized largely due to the global collapse of communism and the improvement of the Philippine economy.

President Fidel Ramos stressed upon assumption to power that one of his priorities would be the settling of internal conflicts that had already taken a huge toll in the loss of lives and property.

And he took the right steps by initiating dialogs with CPP, MNLF and the Revolutionary Alliance of the Masses (RAM), the rightist soldier group.

Talks with the third group have proceeded well and some of RAM's prominent members even took part in the last local election, with leader Gregorio Gringo Honasan winning a senate seat.

But nothing has come out yet on the talks with the CPP and MNLF.

How long should the Ramos government keep bending backwards? Based on their arrogant attitudes and actions, these two groups are not obviously keen on having peace at all.

Ramos should also be careful not to commit the same mistakes of his predecessor, who wasted a lot of time negotiating with the two groups at the expense of the country's economic well-being. As a former military man, Ramos should know what the option is if the twin talks fail.

The Philippine economy was ravaged by Marcos' 20-year dictatorship and Aquino's six years of aimless drifting. Ramos should realize that so much time has already been wasted and that the people have been patient long enough.

-- The Nation, Bangkok