Friday, August 08, 2003
Gov't negotiator bats for total truce
THE government peace panel is focusing on the ceasefire mechanism while negotiations are going on, panel member Irene "Inday" Santiago said Thursday.
Santiago said during the I-Speak forum at the City Hall conference room that a total ceasefire is much needed for negotiations to go far.
"It is difficult that while negotiations are going on there will be bombings everywhere," she said.
Santiago said a total ceasefire would not only encourage evacuees to return to their communities, but also help in the economic recovery.
"If you know anybody or any group trying to break the ceasefire, please report to the authorities. Kailangan din ng mga tao na maging (The people need to be) vigilant regarding the matter," she said.
Santiago said they have discussed the security aspect, rehabilitation and development program and the ancestral domain.
Santiago also believed the death Hashim Salamat, chair of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), will not affect the negotiations, which is expected to push through next week in Kuala Lumpur.
She said there would be continuity with the present leadership of former MILF chief of staff Al Hadj Murad, MILF vice chair for military affairs.
Ghazali Jaafar, MILF vice chair for political affairs, said the MILF central committee met for seven days after Hashim's death and decided that Murad, whom experts regard as a pragmatist, would take over as the new chair.
Murad will also lead the MILF panel when peace talks resume in Malaysia with the government. AAG
(August 8, 2003 issue)
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