Indonesia urges Organization of Islamic Conference to support Mindanao development

MANILA, Philippines - Indonesia urged the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) yesterday to support economic development in Mindanao.

Speaking at the third tripartite meeting between the government peace panel and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City, Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Rezlan Ishar Jenie said his government fully supports the full implementation of the peace agreement forged by the administration of former President Fidel Ramos and the MNLF in 1996.

“Indonesia stands ready to shoulder its part,” he said. “We appeal to the OIC members to be forthcoming in supporting the economic development of the region (Mindanao).”

Jenie, who is presiding over the three-day meeting as chairman of the OIC’s peace committee for Southern Philippines, vowed to come up with concrete recommendations to help the government achieve “lasting peace” in Mindanao.

Jenie said the main objective of the tripartite meeting is to ensure an effective and full implementation of the peace process in Mindanao.

“We should not let this momentum slip away from our grasp,” he said.

“We must succeed in answering our duties as leaders in our respective fields and regions, and to go beyond our differences, to focus our combined energies to strive for our common goal: the establishment of peace and development in Southern Philippines,” he added.

Jenie said it is important to have peace and development in Mindanao. “The urgency today is for everyone to find the courage to give substance to our peace process. Courage has been shown by the signing of the peace agreement in 1996,” he said.

Jenie said attempts to secure sustainable peace would not be an easy task.

“But I believe that with strong political will, together we can,” he said.