UK experts to aid in MILF talks

MANILA, Philippines – The United Kingdom said yesterday that the Philippine and British governments agreed that experts in the Northern Ireland peace process will be sent to the Philippines to give assistance and advice to the peace talks between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government.

British Foreign Office Minister for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Margaret Patricia Munn and British Ambassador to Manila Peter Beckingham said Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza agreed on Friday to the sending of British experts who were instrumental in the 10-year old Northern Ireland-UK peace agreement.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo also welcomed the sending of British experts who had talked with Sein Fenn, political arm of the Irish Republican Army.

“She (Munn) talked with Secretary Ermita about it as well Secretary Romulo and Secretary Dureza and they all said they welcomed the suggestion,” Beckingham said.  “So what we have to do now is to find someone who would be of interest to your government and the MILF to come out here and there is an agreement and that is final.”  – Pia Lee-Brago