Muslim nations back government peace efforts

MANILA, Philippines - Muslim nations like Pakistan are supporting President Aquino’s decision to resume talks with Muslim separatists in Mindanao, Pakistani Sen. Mushahid Sayed said yesterday.

He told a news conference that he and other leaders of the Centrist Asia-Pacific Democrats International (CAPDI) conveyed their countries’ support for the administration’s peace initiatives when they called on President Aquino on Friday.

Sayed, who is CAPDI secretary-general and a former Pakistani presidential candidate, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An and former Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla are in town as guests of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., who is CAPDI president.

De Venecia accompanied his guests to call on President Aquino.

In the news conference held at his Makati residence, the former Speaker said CAPDI, which is composed of administration and opposition political leaders in the Asia-Pacific region, also endorsed Mr. Aquino’s peace efforts in a meeting on Friday night, which former President Ramos attended.

Sayed said Pakistan and other Muslim nations “wholeheartedly support the resolution of the conflict between the government of the Philippines and Filipino Muslims.”

In fact, he said Qatar has offered to host the peace talks between the government and Muslim secessionists.

“The President’s peace initiatives will bring the Philippines and the Muslim world closer together,” he said.

He added that he got the impression from their call on the President that “he is sincere in his peace efforts.”

Responding to questions, the Pakistani senator said his country would be willing to help if requested in the peace process.

“As you know, Pakistan is a leading member of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference). If those involved in the peace process need institutional support, we are ready to be of help,” he said.

He said there are similar ongoing conflict resolution processes in other parts of Asia, including those between Pakistan and India, Cambodia and Thailand, and between warring groups in Nepal.

“These are timely and positive efforts. These are a new beginning and are essential in attaining peace in our region,” he stressed.

For his part, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An said his country is offering to host peace talks between or among protagonists in any part of Asia.

During Friday’s CAPDI meeting, De Venecia said Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is a member of the organization, offered Makati as host of the Pakistani-Indian peace negotiations in March.