U.S. threatens to stop aid for MILF

U.S. threatens to stop aid for MILF

PHILIPPINES: The United States on Wednesday accused Muslim separatists in the southern Philippines of ties with regional terror group Jamaah Islamiyah (JI), and threatened to withhold millions of dollars in aid unless the rebels stop harboring "outlaws" and "terrorists."

"I would not be stating that concern unless we have excellent grounds for it," U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone told reporters.

The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are prepared to resume stalled peace talks on ending a decades-long rebellion later this month in Malaysia.

The United States has committed at least US$30 million in development programs for MILF areas once a final peace agreement is reached.

"The United States will not provide economic development assistance in areas controlled by the MILF if that organization maintains its ties to outlaws, terrorists, in violation of the written testimony of (MILF) chairman Salamat (Hashim) in his last days," Ricciardone said. -- AP