MILF: Course peace efforts thru the OIC

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) practically severed its communication lines with the government peace panel yesterday as it declared that it would entertain peace efforts channeled only through the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

In a two-page manifesto dated Nov. 27 but only issued to the media yesterday, the MILF central committee advised the government to coordinate all its efforts with the OIC.

"The MILF will only respond to an initiative from the OIC and any of its member-states for the resumption of peace talks with the government," states the MILF manifesto signed by MILF vice chairman for military affairs Al Haj Murad.

The MILF said the OIC would be the sole and official mediator for the proposed resumption of peace talks which, it said, shall be held in a neutral venue outside the country.

For the peace talks to resume, the MILF said the government must respect and recognize all previous agreements signed by the MILF and government panels, including those on the verification and acknowledgment of MILF camps and arrangements on the control of the Narciso Ramos Highway.

The MILF added that the government must also show its sincerity by observing an earlier agreement on general cessation of hostilities, and by pulling out all government troops from MILF camps.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said their manifesto was the result of a "nationwide" consultation among its members from Nov. 1 to 25.

He said MILF members apparently want the peace negotiations to push through.

"The talks are officially on hold, but they are not yet closed," he added.

Kabalu added though that formal peace discussions will have to wait until President Estrada’s impeachment trial is completed.

"But it will not be dependent on the outcome of the (impeachment) trial. We are open to talk to anyone, be it President Estrada or a new government," he said.

Mr. Estrada suspended the peace talks last June after the MILF refused to abandon its secessionist stand and end its armed struggle.

The Estrada government subsequently launched an all-out offensive against the MILF, resulting in the fall to military control of 46 of its camps throughout Mindanao, prompting MILF chief Hashim Salamat to declare a jihad or holy war against the government.