KL ready to send peace monitors

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — The Malaysian armed forces are ready to deploy officers to monitor a ceasefire between the Philippines and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"The armed forces are always ready for whenever the government makes a decision. If the Cabinet approves it, then we must be there. We are always prepared," deputy defense minister Shafie Apdal was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.

In Manila, Malaysian Ambassador Mohamed Taufik said yesterday the United States cannot sit down in peace talks between the Philippine government and the MILF despite acceptance by the parties of a US consultative role for peace and development in Mindanao.

Taufik said a supporting role of the US government in the resumption of the stalled peace talks will not give the US direct involvement in the negotiations because its participation is limited to giving advice and financial support.

President Arroyo said this week that the Malaysian presence would "deter terrorist acts" and enable "an effective, durable ceasefire process" with the MILF, the country’s largest Muslim separatist group.

Malaysia has been encouraging peace negotiations between the Philippines and the 12,500-strong MILF, which has waged a 25-year rebellion for an independent Islamic state in the southern third of the mostly Roman Catholic archipelago.

It has also been proposed that Malaysia lead a ceasefire monitoring team including agents from Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei and Libya.

Manila suspended formal talks with the MILF earlier this year after an upsurge of bombings and raids on civilian targets by suspected MILF guerrillas.

Both sides have recently met informally to discuss reviving the peace process.

The Washington-based Institute for Peace, a US-supported non-governmental organization, will be the focal point of the US participation in the talks, providing "financial and diplomatic support" to the peace process.

"The Institute for Peace has been identified and their role is to give advice and contribute. But they will not be there when the negotiations start," Taufik said, adding that its representatives may be consulted for diplomatic purposes and funding. "But they will not send officials to sit in."

The envoy said Kuala Lumpur and the US can cooperate in the peace process even if the two countries have less than excellent relations.

The US Embassy in Manila said the Institute for Peace, comprised of former American diplomats and generals, will give advice on conflict resolutions experienced by other countries it had assisted to achieve peace.

"I think it is quite clear. Their involvement has already been spelled out through the Institute for Peace and the funding projects for the MILF upon completion of the agreement to entice them and see the rewards of peace," he said.

The government has welcomed the participation of the US in the peace process with the secessionist movement.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople said Mrs. Arroyo gave her blessings to the US participation at a meeting in Malacañang with US Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Daley last June 25.

Ople said he understood that Malaysia, the peace broker between the government and the MILF, also welcomed a consultative role for the US in the peace and development efforts for Mindanao.

He stressed the US will mainly play a supporting role to Malaysia, which is the principal facilitator and mediator.

In the meantime, Kuala Lumpur will try to convince the MILF to initiate proceedings and ask the court to lift the arrest warrants and bounties on the heads of its leaders.

"We will try to influence the MILF to go through the legal means and ask the courts through their lawyers," Taufik said. — With Pia Lee-Brago