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MILF in cease-fire with Philippines
The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have agreed to set up local monitoring teams to ensure compliance with the ceasefire and rehabilitation agreement they signed in August. The agreement calls for a halt to the fighting, normalization in the conflict areas in Mindanao, and relief, rehabilitation and development programs. Representatives of government and MILF negotiating panels met in Cotabato City on the composition of the monitoring teams, which will include representatives of local government units, two non-government organizations, and the religious sector. The negotiating panels have also urged representatives of the Organization of Islamic Conference to "observe and monitor" the ceasefire as well as the implementation of an agreement contained in a joint communique the two sides issued on Aug. 7.
How interesting. Yesterday US Special Forces were on their way to advise the government troops, today MILF is ready to adhere to the agreement they made last year. Sadly for Abu Sayyaf, the openly al-Qaeda affiliated group won't have the option. They'll have to change their hats and pretend to be somebody else, or else go to Yemen.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2002-01-15 |
