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Saturday, April 09, 2005
Norway may mediate in talks between RP, communist rebels
Norway has expressed willingness to facilitate the peace talks between the Philippine Government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF).
Senator Rodolfo Biazon, chairman of the Senate defense and national security committee, made the announcement after meeting with Norwegian parliamentarians who attended the six-day Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) general assembly, which ended Friday.
Biazon said the Norwegian parliamentarians were interested to help the two panels continue their long-overdue talks.
"The Norwegian parliamentarians, and they are also peace advocates, have confirmed that they continue to offer Norway as facilitator for the continuance of the peace process," Biazon said.
The peace process between the government and the rebel group was first interrupted when the CPP-NDF's armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), allegedly executed several politicians in the country, Biazon said.
The talks were again deferred when the CPP-NDF protested its inclusion in the list of the US and the European Union of foreign terrorist groups.
Biazon expressed confidence that with the offer from Norway, "the peace process will resume."
Meanwhile, he urged the government to go beyond the discussion stage and act on the issue of a ceasefire and the security and immunity of leaders of the CPP-NDF. (JPM)
(April 9, 2005 issue)
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