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Thursday, June 26, 2003
Kabalu hit for conflicting statements on peace efforts
By She Caguimbal-Torres
A RANKING Malacaņang official Wednesday slammed Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) spokesman Eid Kabalu for muddling the issues as he continued to issue statements that run in conflict with the stand of the group's other leaders including chairman Hashim Salamat.
This stemmed from the observation of presidential adviser on the peace process Eduardo Ermita who acknowledged that there appears to be a communication gap among some MILF officials particularly between Hashim and Kabalu.
He said this is the reason why government prefers to negotiate directly with Hashim to ensure that the government's stand will be delivered clearly and accurately.
"There is a very high probability na mayroon ngang gap between the two because what Kabalu is saying medyo hindi accurate at dahil para bang pinangungunahan niya ang sitwasyon when hindi naman dapat ganoon," Ermita said in a phone interview from Washington.
He cited the issue of Hashim's appearance in the negotiations and his agreement to head the MILF panel, which Kabalu kept claiming was incorrect.
Ermita said the Philippine government received the information directly from authorities of Malaysia, the official third-party facilitator, which was supported by the information from the government's other direct contacts with the MILF.
"I don't know if Kabalu really knows the details of what may have transpired during the past few days... Natatandaan ko na iyung kanilang spokesman na si Kabalu ay pinaaalahanan na huwag masyadong magsalita sapagkat baka hindi niya alam ang mga detalye, ngunit on the other part, hindi siya nakakausap ng ating mga designated officials, baka iba ang nalalaman ni Kabalu," he said.
Ermita is now in the US after he was ordered by President Arroyo to brief American authorities, through the Institute of Peace, on the development in the peace efforts with the MILF, including the group's renunciation of terrorism.
American President George W. Bush earlier expressed interest in promoting peace in Mindanao and even volunteered to act as intermediary to immediately restart the formal peace negotiations.
The US also pledged to assist development in Mindanao through financing and developmental programs if the MILF would finally sign an agreement with the Philippine government.
Ermita reiterated that Malaysia would still be the lead third party facilitator in the talks with the MILF as the US would be limited to a supplemental or complementary role.
(June 26, 2003 issue)
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