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Sunday, December 09, 2007
Australia vows more aid once peace deal inked
DAVAO CITY -- The Australian Government in a meeting with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last Thursday vowed to pour more aid in Mindanao once government and the Moro secessionists sign a peace deal.
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Australian Deputy Ambassador for the Philippines Stephen Scott said Australia is interested in venturing on research works with Bangsamoro Development Authority (BDA) and other organizations.
It was learned that Australia allots P40 million annually for its official development assistance for Mindanao alone.
Scott said this amount will be increased once the government and MILF sign a peace agreement. He said the Australian Government is optimistic that the "interesting developments on the ongoing negotiation would
ultimately pave way for the signing of the peace accord."
Russ Swinnerton, Senior Analyst of Australia's Office of National Assessment; Titon Mitra, Australian Aid for International Aid (AusAid) Minister Counselor; and Matthew Harrison, Third Secretary Embassy accompanied Scott during a meeting with the MILF at Camp Darapanan.
Ghazali Jaafar, Vice Chairman for Political Affairs of the MILF, hosted the meeting, which is said to be the third time this month with members of the diplomatic and donor communities.
Mohagher Iqbal, chairman of the MILF peace negotiating panel, told the Australian officials that the peace talks are back on track and moving forward, citing the 14-months impasse was already overcome by the two parties.
Iqbal expressed confidence that the talks on the ancestral domain will be concluded this month or early next year.
Australia is a member of the Mindanao Trust Fund, a funding assistance group for peace and development endeavors in Mindanao. The Mindanao Trust Fund is being managed by World Bank in close collaboration with the BDA of the MILF.
The MILF leadership warmly welcomed Scott's statement on Australia's interest in venturing on research works with BDA and other organizations.
Lawyer Datu Michael Mastura, member of the MILF peace panel, pointed out taxation as possible area of technical assistance and cooperation with the government of Australia.
"It is of utmost importance to provide assistance for the Mindanao peace process because the unresolved conflict drags the Philippines down in various states of affairs," Scott said.
He also said that the "Development of capacity to effectively achieve peace and security especially during the implementation stage of the peace pact is crucial in sustaining peace and its dividends."
Scott also revealed that Australia is willing to join the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) if due invitation will be offered.
But the MILF was quick to reply that the GRP, MILF and the MILF Secretariat must make the decision concerning participation of other countries to the IMT. IMT is composed of Malaysia, Brunei, Libya and Japan.
Jaafar cited the big contribution of the IMT and M/Gen Raymundo Ferrer of the Philippine Army 6th Infantry Division to the enhancement of peaceful solution of problem.
Jaafar, however, said the problem is a political one which can only be solved by a political solution, adding that socio-economic aid is an important part of the solution.
"Political, socio-economic and security measures pursuant to the GRP-MILF Agreement on Peace of 2001 must go together hand in hand in order to achieve a just and enduring solution to the age-old Bangsamoro problem and conflict in Mindanao," he said. (Ben O. Tesiorna of Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (December 9, 2007 issue)
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