Monday, October 02, 2006
Muslim militants worried over peace talks impasse
CAGAYAN DE ORO -- Muslim guerrillas said Sunday they're concerned that a prolonged impasse in their Malaysian-brokered peace talks with the Philippine Government could endanger an existing ceasefire.
Cagayan de Oro officials are also asking Malacañang to consider appointing Mindanaoan officials as peace negotiators to the collapsing talks with a Muslim secessionist group.
Negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) -- the largest Muslim group fighting for self-rule in the south -- broke down in early September over the size of the area that would fall under Muslim control, both sides have said.
Government negotiators were supposed to make a new proposal Saturday to break the impasse, but they asked for about three more weeks to craft a new offer, said MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal.
Philippine officials were not immediately available for comment.
"We're concerned that other intervening situations could make this opportunity for peace slip away from our hands," Iqbal told The Associated Press by telephone.
One danger is the possibility that hardliners in the 120,000-strong military could encourage attacks on the rebels. Guerrilla hardliners may also lose interest in pursuing the talks, according to Iqbal.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said last week he remained confident that a truce between government troops and the rebels would hold despite the impasse in the talks, due to the Malaysian-led cease-fire monitors' presence and the existence of a government-rebel conflict resolution committee.
The MILF wants an existing Muslim autonomous region expanded without any constitutional conditions, such as a plebiscite, officials said.
But the government has remained firm in its position that it cannot be expanded unless residents of affected areas give their approval first in a plebiscite, Ermita said.
Meanwhile, Cagayan Councilor Maryanne Enteria sponsored a propose measure that would request Malacanang to appoint Mindanaoan officials in the peace negotiations.
At least 12 additional peace negotiators -- each coming from the league of provinces, cities, municipalities, provincial board members and vice mayors -- are being asked to sit with government panel negotiating with the MILF.
With peace negotiations between the government and the MILF still facing a roadblock, Mindnaoan local government units can contribute "vital inputs" that can push the talks to move on, Enteria said.
"We need more minds in the peace panel, and the presence of Mindanaons LGUs could prove very helpful in finally resolving this conflict," the councilor said. (AP/Danilo V. Adorador III of Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
(October 2, 2006 issue)
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