[Excerpt: “The Manila government and the MILF are very pragmatic about the talks,” he said. “It is a positive sign. This is the last element of the peace agreement. It’s a tough one.”...“They will discuss four elements. The first one is territorial aspects, second the concept of the domains, third the natural resources and fourth governance.]
http://198.65.147.194/English/News/2005-04/18/article05.shtml Manila-MILF Peace Talks Kick Off in Malaysia This round of talks is hoped to bring lasting peace for Filipino Muslims. Additional Reporting By Rexcel Sorza, IOL Correspondent ILOILO CITY, Philippines, April 18, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Philippine government negotiators met with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) panel Monday, April 18, 2005 in Malaysia, kicking off three days of talks expected to bring an end to nearly 30 years of strife on Mindanao Island. An MILF official told IslamOnline.net that the seventh exploratory talks have finally taken place in a hotel in Port Dickson, about two hours away from Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, with both parties closing in their discussion on the issue of ancestral domain. Both panels have also decided not to issue any statement on the proceedings except on the last day Wednesday, where they are expected to reveal the outcome of their meeting. A spokesman for the Malaysian organizers told Agence France-Presse (AFP) the talks are an exploratory start to what are expected to be tough negotiations between Manila and the MILF. “This is the beginning of a tough agenda on the ancestral domain. It is to explore each others’ position,” he said. The 12,000-strong MILF has been waging a rebellion since 1978, demanding that Manila give it back control over its “ancestral domain” and the people living in it. The MILF’s reference to its “ancestral domain” traditionally means the whole of Mindanao island, once ruled by a succession of Islamic sultanates until they were subdued by western powers who conquered the country. The mineral-rich island makes up a third of the mainly-Catholic Philippines and is home to the country’s Muslim minority. On Saturday, April 16, Secretary Teresita Deles, the Philippine president’s adviser on peace process, told IOL that the “very sensitive issues” of the concept of ancestral domain, territory to be covered, resources where funds can be drawn by the Bangsamoro people for the development of the Island, and government to be adopted for people in the ancestral domain “should be studied carefully”. Cordial Atmosphere Albar said he believed time was ripe for the MILF to silence its guns and sign a peace treaty with Manila. (Courtesy: Al-Jazeera) The Malaysian official told AFP Monday the talks were held in a “cordial” environment, with delegates from both sides shaking hands and eating together. They each presented their positions before separating to discuss their responses. “The Manila government and the MILF are very pragmatic about the talks,” he said. “It is a positive sign. This is the last element of the peace agreement. It’s a tough one.” “They will discuss four elements. The first one is territorial aspects, second the concept of the domains, third the natural resources and fourth governance. “The meeting is technical in nature. Both sides are hopeful for progress in the meeting.” The official said there could be further technical meetings after this one, before the next phase of a formal conference leading to the signing of a peace agreement. The government team is led by chief negotiator Silvestre Afable and the MILF delegation by Mohagher Iqbal, a member of the central committee. Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar has said he believes that the time is ripe for the MILF to silence its guns and sign a peace treaty with Manila. He noted a “serious desire” from both parties to maintain peace in Mindanao island. As predicted by MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu, a minor skirmish that broke out in a central Mindanao town did not stall the resumption of the talks. Government soldiers and Moro fighters exchanged gunfire Friday morning, April 15. The attack that left at least Moro fighters killed spawned a protest letter from the MILF committee on the cessation of hostilities. It told its Philippine counterpart that the attack was “a clear sabotage” of the negotiation aimed at ending the decades-old conflict in the island of Mindanao. enditem ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Take a look at donorschoose.org, an excellent charitable web site for anyone who cares about public education! http://us.click.yahoo.com/_OLuKD/8WnJAA/cUmLAA/TySplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: osint@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. 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