Resumption of peace talks hailed

MANILA, Philippines - Japan welcomed yesterday the resumption of peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

In a statement from the Japanese embassy, Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said his country values highly the efforts of both negotiating parties and facilitator Malaysia to reach this agreement.

“The Government of Japan welcomes that the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is based in Mindanao, agreed to resume the official peace talks in the Mindanao Peace Process,” read the statement.

Upon the request of the negotiating parties and Malaysia, Japan decided to participate in the International Contact Group.

Apart from Japan, the ICG is comprised of the United Kingdom, Turkey and four non-government organizations.

It is expected to give advice to the parties concerned on the Mindanao peace process and participate in peace talks as observers.

On Friday, Japan said it has accepted the invitation to become a member of the ICG for the Mindanao peace process.

The ICG may issue public statements as appropriate, in writing, decided by consensus.

ICG members may review their commitment as appropriate.

When a final peace agreement is reached, the ICG, Facilitator and Parties should review the nature of the ICG’s role and membership.

Development experts

Japan has contributed to the Mindanao peace process through the dispatch of development experts to the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and the J-Bird projects, which include intensive implementation of grant assistance for grassroots human security projects in the conflict-affected areas.

Rafael Seguis and Mohag­her Iqbal, government and MILF panel chairmen, announced on Wednesday that both panels agreed to resume the peace negotiations in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday following the establishment of the ICG.

In 2003, the government and MILF signed a ceasefire after approximately 40 years of armed conflict. It was further developed through the activities of the IMT (headed by Malaysia) since 2004.

However, in August 2008, armed conflict resumed when the national coordination surrounding resolutions of pending land problems failed.

Last July, the government and MILF announced a joint statement for the suspension of military operations/actions and resumption of peace talks.

The parties then signed a framework agreement on the ICG in September and another framework agreement on the civilian protection mechanism of the IMT in October. – Pia Lee-Brago