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Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Philippines hopes Malaysia will keep mediating with Muslim rebels (7:50 p.m.)
MANILA -- The government has expressed hope Wednesday that neighboring Malaysia will continue mediating between the Manila government and Muslim rebels despite announcing a decision to pull out its truce monitors.
Malaysian officials cited a lack of progress in the long-running peace talks for its planned withdrawal of some of about 60 unarmed observers deployed in the southern Philippines since a 2003 cease-fire began.
The decision has disappointed the Philippine government but its chief negotiator, Rodolfo Garcia, said he hoped Malaysia would continue its role as a mediator.
"The Malaysians play a very important role and they should stay on as facilitators," Garcia told The Associated Press.
He said there was no indication that Malaysia also plans to stop mediating in the talks.
"I think the Malaysians know the implications of such - it's going to destroy the peace process," Garcia said. "I don't think they are thinking of that matter, especially coming on the heels of a pullout of the (monitors)."
Malaysian officials did not comment immediately, but they have given no indication they would cease mediating. (AP) |
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