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| Southeast Asia |
| MILF to discuss Filippino government |
| 2004-09-17 |
| The biggest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines said on Thursday it will start talks next month with the government to set out how it will help the military root out Jemaah Islamiah (JI) militants and gangs in its territory. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine government are due to resume a separate set of negotiations in early October to try to end a 35-year conflict on the southern island of Mindanao that has killed at least 120,000 people. Malaysia, which is brokering the peace talks, has sent eight soldiers and one police officer to pave the way for a 60 monitors from Muslim nations who will oversee a year-long truce in resource-rich but restive Mindanao. As part of the peace process, the MILF has agreed to help the military by tracking and arresting members of kidnap gangs and JI, a regional militant group linked to the al Qaeda network. Mohaqher Iqbal, the chief MILF negotiator, told Reuters the cooperation talks would focus on guidelines for a joint group that was set up in May 2002 but has yet to take action against criminals or an estimated 40 JI members in Mindanao. "Technically, our hands are tied without these guidelines," said Eid Kabalu, a spokesman for the MILF. "We can't move against kidnappers and terrorists because we might be accused of making illegal arrests." The rebels said the talks might begin on Oct. 10, the same day the full team of 60 monitors is tentatively due to arrive to observe a fragile ceasefire in five areas of Mindanao. Apart from Malaysia, only Brunei has committed troops to the lightly armed team. Bahrain, Indonesia, Libya and Saudi Arabia are expected to join. Iqbal said members of the government and rebel ceasefire panels were due to visit a guerrilla base in the mountains of Lanao del Sur province to investigate the reported presence of JI militants in the area. Philippine security officials say JI operatives used Mindanao as a training base and sanctuary, taking advantage of personal ties with some MILF field commanders. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |