Monday, January 02, 2006
MNLF to respect outcome of peace talks
THE Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has given its assurance that it would not stand in the way once the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) reach a final peace agreement.
"If this happens (signing of a final peace agreement), the two fronts would be working hand in hand to sustain peace and development in the Minsupala region," MNLF interim chairman Hatimil Hassan said in a statement.
Minsupala stands for Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan areas that the Muslims considered as their ancestral territories.
Hassan, also the speaker of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) Regional Legislative Assembly, issued the assurance in the wake of observations that two fronts would quarrel if a new leadership in governance would emerge once the government and MILF reach a final peace accord.
In supporting the amity talks between the government and MILF, Hassan said, the Bangsamoro people have been longing for a lasting peace in Mindanao.
In September 1996, the government and MNLF forged its own final peace deal, which, however, is widely perceived to be a failure since some provisions were allegedly not implemented.
The 1996 accord, which led to the creation of the Armm, has failed to bring peace in Mindanao most observers say.
Formal peace negotiation, which was disrupted by armed confrontation between the military and the Moro rebels in recent years, is expected to "resume" early this year.
(January 2, 2006 issue)
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