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MILF leaders keep distance from clash
| I must admit, Moro politix are a bit Byzantine for my taste, and somehow I think Arroyo is gettin' played, but here goes: |
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Thursday denounced the Jolo clash saying it is not their war and announced that they won't support the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) "breakaway" group's call for their troops to join in the on-going war in Jolo. Both the MILF and the government also said the Jolo clash "will not in any way affect the moves for the resumption of the peace talks." They, however, admitted there is still no definite date as to when the formal peace negotiations will resume.
| "Maybe when the fighting dies down, but that could take a while. Say, this shrimp cocktail is really outstanding!" |
The Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCHs) of the government and MILF Thursday held its 25th Joint Meeting at the Pryce Plaza Hotel. The affair was also attended by the International Monitoring Team (IMT) from Malaysia. During the press conference, MILF-CCCH chairman Von Al-Haq was asked on whether its troops would heed the call of Abu Solaiman, MNLF breakaway group leader in Jolo, that the MILF join its forces in the on-going clash. Al-Haq replied, "We are in the MILF that is not our war that is very clear."
| "As long as the teevee cameras are on," he forgot to add. |
He also made it clear that the MILF-GRP peace talks will not be affected in any way by the on-going Jolo clash. "It (Jolo clash) has nothing to do with our peace process," he said. Al-Haq was the one who replaced Benjie Midtimbang as MILF-CCCH chairman to conform with some internal rule.
After hearing this statement from his MILF counterpart, GRP-CCCH chairman Brigadier General Alexander Yano for his part said, "this is a positive development considering that no less than the chairman of the MILF-CCCH is pronouncing that the MILF has nothing to do with the cause of the MNLF (breakaway group) in Jolo." Yano also said the CCCH has "now set the stage and paved the way for the resumption of the peace talks." He nevertheless "said, "We are not in the position to give the exact date on when the peace talks would be scheduled.
| "But we're keeping a close eye on the 'having peace talks' funding. If we're forced to start ordering from the early-bird menu, we may have to consider moving up on the schedule." |
This military general who replaced General Rodrigo Garcia nevertheless later told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that they have received reports that the peace talks would be set anytime this month. "But still it is indefinite," he said. | "You really should try one of these canapés." |
Posted by: Seafarious 2005-02-12 |
