Wednesday, May 21, 2008 US envoy believes Esperon fit for peace adviser post
EVEN as militant groups continue to hit the appointment of retired Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon as chief of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp), US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney has a contrary view.
"I believe General Esperon is fit for the job," Kenney said in an ambush interview at the Marco Polo Hotel last Monday.
"I think that General Esperon knows very well the effects of the absence of peace," Kenney said. "He (Esperon) cares very deeply for peace, as he knows its effects," the US ambassador added.
She said though that the appointment of Esperon as head of the Opapp is something internal to the Philippines.
Kenney added it is the most crucial part of the peace process. "It is most difficult when we are about to close the peace talks," Kenney said.
"The moment is now, people want to have education, peace, and progress," Kenney added.
The US ambassador added that the Filipino people should help their government in pushing for the peace process. "You must help the negotiators, to push as hard as you can," Kenney said. (CPM)
