US awaits RP request on 2 AFP ‘TnTs’

NEW YORK — The United States is awaiting the Philippines’ formal request for necessary action against two Filipino peacekeepers with the United Nations mission in Haiti who have not returned to their posts from a vacation in the US last May.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains silent as to whether charges have been filed against the deserters.

Second Secretary Elmer Cato of the Philippine Mission to the UN said the mission has an idea where the two deserters are and if they went tago-nang-tago (TNT, or "always on the run"), but has deferred further action until they receive a formal notification from the AFP that charges have been filed against Navy Lt. Senior Grade Valentino Menpin and Marine Sgt. Geoffrey Geslani.

Ambassador Lauro Baja Jr. said the Philippines will formally seek assistance from US authorities in tracking down Menpin and Geslani.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo wants the two deserters located, repatriated and prosecuted for bringing shame to the Philippines.

The Philippine Mission and the Office of the Defense and Armed Forces Attaché at the Philippine Embassy in Washington made initial representations with US authorities immediately after Col. Daniel Lucero, commanding officer of the 1st Philippine Contingent in Haiti reported that Menpin and Geslani had gone AWOL (away without official leave).

The two peacekeepers failed to report again last April after they were allowed to take R&R (rest and recreation) in the US.

In another development at the UN, the Philippines, presiding chair of the UN Security Council (UNSC), was "ignominiously" ignored yesterday by the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative and the Iraqi foreign minister when the country inquired into the report that at least 25,000 security contractors had allegedly become mercenaries because of their activities in Iraq.

Many of the alleged mercenaries are British, American and South African who were reportedly lured by high wages of up to 750 British pounds ($1,350 or P75,000) a day supposedly to provide protection for official buildings, supply convoys or visiting businessmen.

"I was ignominiously ignored. The Philippines has been posing that question during briefings by the special representative of the Secretary General but as of now we can’t get any answer," said Baja, Permanent Representative of the Philippine Mission to the UN.

Baja sought confirmation from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s Special Representative Ashraf Qazi and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari regarding the conglomeration of former soldiers "who have been acting as private security guards to multinational firms and other facilities" in the strife-torn country.

This, "in effect, makes them mercenaries," Baja said.

Manila raised the report and sought a response from Qazi and Zebari for the third time during the private meeting on Iraq, but no response came.

"That was the third time I raised the question. I asked what’s the impact of this on the security environment in Iraq… who is monitoring this, who supervise their activities and to confirm that there are really that number, but they didn’t answer me," Baja said.

The UNSC briefing also covered cooperation of neighboring states, raising Syria’s supposed non-cooperation with Baghdad.

Qazi urged the Iraqi government to ensure free expression for all points of view, as he welcomed the adoption of a draft text for a permanent constitution of Iraq by the Transnational Assembly as an "important" step towards democracy.

Conflict prevention

Under Philippine presidency, the UNSC sees the need for a broad strategy for conflict prevention and pacific settlement of disputes.

In his official statement, the Philippines’ foreign affairs chief said the UNSC recognizes the important supporting role of civil society in this regard. Romulo stressed that the essential responsibility for conflict prevention rests with national governments.

In the statement, as approved by the UNSC, Romulo said the UN and the international community can play an important role in support of national efforts for conflict prevention, and can assist in building national capacity in that field.

"In that regard, the Council will strengthen its relationship to civil society, including the use of Arrias formula meetings and meetings with local civil society organizations during Security Council missions," Romulo said.

Romulo said the Philippines held an extensive discussion on civil society’s contribution to ensuring peace and avoiding a relapse into conflict. This, he noted, will open doors even wider for civil society to help in the most delicate affairs of states.

The Security Council held the open debate on the role of civil society in conflict prevention and peaceful settlement of disputes with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan stressing the need for the world body to tap into the experience and expertise offered by such front-line groups.

In his statement, Annan said the civil society’s role in conflict prevention needs to be fully recognized.

"Both the United Nations and regional organizations have to do more (to) tap into civil society’s comparative advantages, namely strong local presence and experience. Local ownership and participation are essential for the success of peace processes, be it in conflict prevention, peacemaking or peacebuilding. And dialogue, transparency and accountability must remain a priority," Annan said. — Pia Lee-Brago