OIC tells MILF: Pursue peace or...

Talk peace or lose the Ulama’s support.

This was the message of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in prodding the secessionist group to pursue peace talks with the government.

Officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said this was one of the most encouraging statements that special envoy to Islamic countries Raul Rabe got from no less than OIC secretary general Dr. Abdelouahed Belkeziz during a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

DFA Assistant Secretary Shulan Primavera said the MILF runs the risk of losing its sympathizers in the international Muslim community, or Ulama, if it fails to heed the call of peace.

"If the MILF adopts war in the light of all these peace offerings, the MILF will lose its sympathizers," Primavera quoted Rabe’s report as saying.

Belkeziz conveyed the message after Rabe briefed him on the Arroyo administration’s "all-out peace" policy in Mindanao.

"According to Belkeziz, these steps are favorable toward promoting an enduring peace and development in the southern Philippines. He expects the MILF to respond positively to these initiatives," Primavera added.

Belkeziz, however, did not specify which countries or groups were supportive of the MILF since the OIC officially recognizes only the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) as the sole representative of Muslims in Mindanao.

The MNLF, under Nur Misuari, gained OIC and Ulama support in the 1970s after the Marcos regime launched a bloody military campaign to contain the Muslim separatist movement.

The OIC was crucial in convincing the MNLF to pursue peace talks with the Aquino administration in the 1980s and finally sign a peace agreement with the Ramos administration in September 1996, ending three decades of internecine guerrilla warfare.

But DFA officials said it was normal for Muslims to support fellow Muslims and the Ulama since it was a religious obligation for all Muslims.

Rabe spoke with Belkeziz on a special mission to drum up international support for the Philippine government’s new "all-out peace" policy in Mindanao.

Rabe delivered to King Fahd of Saudi Arabia a letter from President Arroyo asking support for the government’s change of policy from the "all-out war" stance of the Estrada regime to the "all-out peace" initiative of the Arroyo administration.

Rabe briefed King Fahd on the steps taken to forge peace in Mindanao, such as the enactment of the law to implement the 1996 pact, the revival of the peace panel and the declaration of a cease-fire in Mindanao.

The Saudi king expressed happiness over Rabe’s special mission and sent his " sincerest wishes for the success of President Arroyo in all her endeavors and for the success of the peace process."

Rabe also got a pledge from the Saudi Development Fund to increase a $20-million concessional loan for projects in Mindanao once the situation in the area improves.

Rabe also met with members of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and encourage several Saudi businessmen to visit the country and take advantage of trade and investment opportunities.

Earlier, the OIC expressed support for the Arroyo administration and promised to enhance the relations between the group and the Philippine government.

"We pray to Allah the Almighty to grant you success in your noble endeavor in the service of your great country," Belkeziz said in a message to Mrs. Arroyo.

"We are confident that your excellency’s wisdom and experience will enable you to fulfill the aspiration of the brotherly Philippine people in attaining progress and prosperity," he added.