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Australian Troops to hunt down Terrorists in S.Phillipines
AUSTRALIA will send troops to strife-torn central Mindanao in the southern Philippines under a landmark defence agreement designed to upgrade Canberra's role in the regional fight against Islamist terrorism.As US-backed Philippines forces close in on Bali bombers and Jemaah Islamiah kingpins Dulmatin and Omar Patek, on southern Jolo island, Australian defence forces are planning military exercises with their Philippines counterparts in the Mindanao heartland of local and foreign al-Qaeda-linked terrorists. Major-General Nehemias Pajarito, commander of the Philippine army's 6th infantry division, said he would meet with Australian ambassador to The Philippines Tony Hely and his defence attache Chris Burns tomorrow at military headquarters outside Cotabato City to discuss the details of the escalated defence co-operation program. Talks would centre on how the forces, in their joint exercises, would monitor al-Qaeda-linked terror cells and training camps. The exercises, tentatively scheduled for later this year, are subject to ratification of the status of forces agreement between The Philippines and Australia by the Philippine Senate. "They (the Australians) want to come here and participate in the monitoring of the ceasefire (with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front)," Major-General Pajarito said. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front separatist group has led an insurgency in the region for more than three decades but is now involved in official peace talks. Major-General Pajarito said Mr Hely planned to bring up Australia's hopes of playing a larger role in the peace process, through aid projects. Already Australia has promised 30 river boats to aid local forces in their search for armed rebel groups linked to JI and the allied local kidnap-for-ransom group, Abu Sayyaf. While The Philippines and Australian military would like to conduct large-scale military exercises, the number of troops allowed will depend on political support in the Philippine Senate. Up to five JI members are believed to be operating terrorist cells in the area, in league with dozens of renegade MILF commanders, who are violating the group's 2005 disavowal of links with terrorists. The Australian military faces stiff local opposition to the proposed deployment, with the local mayor warning foreign terrorists could flock to Mindanao to begin a campaign of violence against an Australian troop presence. "The Australians should send more economic assistance, not military presence," Cotabato City's Mayor, Muslimin Sema, said. "That will just create problems. Al-Qaeda could come here and create violence as a reaction." Posted by: Chinesh Hupert1797 2007-01-28 |
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