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| Southeast Asia |
| Philippines asks US to keep MILF off the terror list |
| 2005-03-31 |
| The Philippines has asked Washington not to include a Muslim separatist group, which has been linked to Jemaah Islamiyah and other radical groups, on a U.S. terrorism blacklist, saying the move could derail peace talks, an official said Wednesday. There has been speculation that Washington has been considering whether to add the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to its list of terrorist organizations due to widespread reports, mostly from Philippine police and military officials, about the rebel group's alleged terrorism links. Asked at a news conference about such prospects, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the government has asked Washington to hold off on any listing to foster Malaysian-brokered talks between Manila and the MILF that are scheduled to resume in Kuala Lumpur next month. "The national government has made it known to the U.S. that maybe we should give the peace process a chance to move forward," Ermita said. "We have somehow expressed to them that the MILF should not be included in the list of foreign terrorist organizations. That is for the moment." Teresita Deles, a presidential adviser on the peace talks, said placing the MILF on the U.S. terror list could derail the talks. Communist guerrillas suspended peace negotiations after Philippine officials declined their demand for the government to push for their removal from U.S. and European Union terror lists. While many military and police officials point to strong links between MILF guerrillas and Jemaah Islamiyah, including joint training in MILF strongholds and involvement in terrorist plots, the president's top aides have said some rebels appear to have linked up with the foreign militants without the knowledge of their leaders. The MILF has renounced terrorism and repeatedly denied any links with Jemaah Islamiyah and other foreign militant groups. It also has forged a cease-fire with the government that has halted major clashes for months. Some security officials have said guerrillas from groups like the extremist Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah have sought refuge in MILF camps, believing troops would not launch offensives there to safeguard the cease-fire and peace talks. U.S. officials have expressed concern about the presence of Jemaah Islamiyah training camps in the southern Philippines, saying militants acquire bombing and other deadly skills there that they could use anywhere. The Jemaah Islamiyah camps are located in MILF lairs, Philippine security officials say. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday visited the MILF's main stronghold, Camp Abubakar, which was captured by troops a few years ago, and inspected U.S.-funded projects with American officials. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #1 Ok, where's the violin? |
| Posted by: Jealet Thereting9222 2005-03-31 8:52:42 AM |