COTABATO CITY, 30 April 2004 — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday said it has no objection to a Philippine government proposal to reschedule the resumption of formal peace talks.
The talks were earlier scheduled early in May in Kuala Lumpur, but Manila asked to move the date anytime after the May 10 elections.
In a press statement, the MILF said although it has yet to be officially notified by the Malaysian government about Manila's request, its leadership found the proposal to be “realistic and fair.”
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said postponement was just right to “in light of some misconceptions that came out earlier alleging that the resumption of talks is being pursued basically to promote and support to the candidacy of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.”
While the attack is directed more on the Arroyo administration and her candidacy, Kabalu said, it is the peace process itself that would be affected.
He described the allegations as “unfair” considering that the MILF has a standing policy of “non-involvement” in the affairs of the Philippine government, including elections.
“The MILF has no interest whatsoever on whoever wins in the coming elections,” Kabalu said.
Kabalu noted that only two of the five presidential candidates have, so far, made policy pronouncements on addressing the Mindanao problem. Arroyo and opposition bet Fernando Poe Jr. have both said they favored the establishment of a federal government in Mindanao as an answer to the “separatist” demand by MILF and the Bangsamoro people.
The MILF said it is talking peace with the government for a peaceful resolution of the Mindanao conflict, which is the product of “bilateral negotiation” and subject for approval by the Bangsamoro people in a “referendum” called for the purpose.
“Any imposed solution is entirely unacceptable to the MILF,” Kabalu said.
The government in Manila has long prepared its own political package known as “Enhanced Autonomy” but it has yet to reach the MILF officially, said Kabalu.
