OIC okays framework to revive MNLF peace accord

RIYADH (AFP) — A framework to revive a peace accord that ended a separatist war in the Philippines was drawn up at talks which wound up in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the Organization of the Islamic Conference said.

Representatives from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the Philippine government and the 57-member OIC took part in the three-day meeting in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.

OIC chief Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said the meeting was “historic, considering the results reached to move forward the peace process by establishing a framework to rejuvenate implementation” of the peace accord, the OIC said.

Under the 1996 deal, the MNLF agreed to end its bloody separatist campaign against the government in exchange for the creation of a Muslim autonomous area in Mindanao.

The Jeddah-based OIC said in a statement that five joint working groups had been established to examine issues such as security, education and economic development in the autonomous region.

Each group is to submit a progress report at the next three-way meeting to be held on Jan. 14, 2008 at a venue that has yet to be specified, the OIC said.

Ihsanoglu also announced the Islamic Development Bank had allocated $16 million toward reconstruction in Mindanao.

Former  MNLF leader Nur Misuari was not present at the talks, the OIC said.

A Philippine court on Nov. 6 ruled the detained Misuari could attend the meeting but would not be allowed to “engage in any form of political or other activity... that will be inimical to the Philippine government.”