Government, MILF to meet in Malaysia next week

THE government's peace negotiators and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are set to meet in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next week to discuss the interim agreement.

According to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) vice chairman for Political Affairs Gadzaali Jaafar, among those who would be present in the meeting in Kuala Lumpur will be Foreign Affairs Undersecretary and GRP Panel chairman Rafael Seguis and MILF chief negotiator Mohaqher Iqbal.

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Both the government and the MILF are hopeful to reach an agreement before the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends on June 30.

Jaafar said the MILF has studied the GRP counter-proposal for the planned interim agreement.

Jaafar denied rumors that Malaysia, which is helping in the peace negotiations since 2003, will be replaced by Indonesia.

The Malaysian peacekeeping force which includes 60 unarmed police officers and military men are in Mindanao as part of the International Monitoring Team to enusre that the ceasefire agreement is being implemented.

The European Union will support any nation who will spearhead the IMT in Mindanao tasked to ensure a successful negotiation between the government and the MILF. (Edgardo Fuerzas)