Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Malaysia cancels RP-MILF peace talks
By Al Jacinto
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Monday's peace talks between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Malaysia were postponed, but rebel negotiators said both sides are near signing a deal that will put an end to the conflict in Mindanao.
Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief peace negotiator, said the talks had been cancelled by Malaysia for a still unknown reason, but he suspects the political problems in Manila and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's declaration of a state of emergency may have something to do with the cancellation.
He said Malaysia rescheduled the talks to an unspecified date. "The political situation in Manila may have contributed largely to the cancellation of the talks in Malaysia," Iqbal said.
Malaysia is brokering the peace talks between the Philippines and the MILF, the country's largest Muslim separatist rebel group fighting for the establishment of a strict Islamic state in the southern region.
Arroyo declared the country under a state of emergency February 24, but lifted this a week later after crushing a coup plot by military-rightwing soldiers and communist insurgents.
Iqbal said they will continue to pursue peace talks with the Arroyo government, despite the current political situation in the Philippines and amid fears that this could affect the peace process.
He said had the talks not been postponed, both peace panels would have discussed the implementing guidelines on the so-called ancestral domain issues.
"We should be talking about the implementing guidelines on the issues of the ancestral domain. We should have put bones, flesh, and arteries in the principles that we have earlier agreed during last month's peace talks in Malaysia. But we are very optimistic that the MILF and the Philippine government will arrive at a common deal that is fruitful and beneficial to all, to every one and to the Bangsamoro people. Peace is important to all of us," Iqbal said.
Iqbal said while his group is sincere in pursuing the peace process the MILF is careful in its negotiations with Manila.
"Peace talks are a continuing process and there are lots of tumbles along the way, but despite this, we still managed to stand up and walk a straight line. Trust and sincerity are important in the peace process," he said.
Eid Kabalu, the MILF spokesman, also expressed optimism that both sides will be able to finally sign a peace deal before the year ends.
"We hope to sign a peace accord with the Philippine government this year and the MILF is really for a peaceful solution to the problems of Mindanao," he said.
Jun Mantawail, head of the MILF peace panel secretariat, said his group is busy finalizing the draft for the implementing guidelines of the Muslim ancestral domain under the 2001 Tripoli Agreement.
Peace negotiators reached an agreement in February on the ancestral domain and the rebel group said it is near signing a deal that will finally settle the Muslim secessionist problems.
Muslims in the southern Philippines hailed the government peace talks with the separatist rebels and said the latest agreement reached by both sides was a big breakthrough.
"It is a big breakthrough, the issues on the ancestral domain have long been the root of the Muslim insurgency problems in Mindanao, and now government and rebel peace negotiators have finally resolved this," said Ustadz Shariff Julabbi, a local Muslim leader.
He said the agreement on the ancestral domain reached by the government and rebel negotiators is one step closer to sealing a peace deal that would bring stability in the strife-torn, but mineral-rich region.
Ancestral domain refers to the MILF demand for territory that will constitute a Muslim homeland.
Kabalu said government and rebel peace negotiators have already agreed on several crucial issues, including the coverage of the ancestral domain in the five Muslim autonomous provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, and other areas in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani provinces where there are large communities of Muslims and indigenous tribes.
"We are almost there, peace is just around the corner and it is only a matter of time before a peace agreement is signed by both the peace panels. We have fulfilled the peace process," Kabalu said, but he admitted the next rounds of talks would concentrate on the final scope of the ancestral domain territories.
"A little discussion perhaps, and some realignment of ideas, but it will surely touch on the scope of territories of the ancestral domain, and after that, then both MILF and government peace negotiators will sign the formal agreement on ancestral domain, and finally, the peace deal that will put an end to the fighting in Mindanao," he said.
Manila said it expects to sign a peace accord with the MILF before the year ends. (Sun.Star Zamboanga/Sunnex)
(March 7, 2006 issue)
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