Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Moro rebels welcome Aussie support to peace process
THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) hailed the support that the Australian government is giving to the peace process aimed at ending three decades of strife in Mindanao.
Muhammad Ameen, secretary of the front's central committee, pointed out the importance of foreign participation to the peace process.
"We need foreign support to accelerate and ensure the success of the peace process. Without active and effective external participation, any agreement signed (by the MILF) with the government will only remain a piece of document," he said in a statement posted at the rebels' website.
Ameen cited the peace agreement forged by the government with the Moro National Liberation Front on September 2, 1996, describing it "as almost a relic of history after it's signing about 10 years ago."
He said the support of the Australian government, through Ambassador Tony Hely, is a sign of growing concern of foreign governments to the current peace process.
Hely visited Mindanao last week to assess the peace situation of the island.
He also announced that Australia is providing P900 million to support a children's development program in the island and in Northern Samar.
Last month, the Australian government also extended AUS$500,000 to the World Bank-initiated Mindanao Trust Fund-Reconstruction and Development Program.
Total funding for its first phase amounts to more than US$2.7 million, with Canada New Zealand, Sweden and the World Bank also contributing.
Hely said 60 percent of Australia's financial assistance in the country goes to Mindanao.
Australia is currently supporting initiatives in Mindanao like the ACT (Action for Conflict Transformation) for Peace Program, Basic Education Assistance in Mindanao, Unicef 6th Country Program for Children, among others.
Hely said prospects for a comprehensive final agreement look promising.
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(May 1, 2006 issue)
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