Muslim rebels welcome Arroyo's initiative

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, FEB. 21. The Philippine President, Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, has announced a suspension of military operations against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a 12,000-strong Muslim separatist group operating on the southern island of Mindanao.

Ms. Arroyo's ceasefire announcement is one of her first major policy initiatives since taking power on January 20 after the eviction of Mr. Joseph Estrada from the office of President.

The President announced that the objective of the ceasefire was to create ``the proper environment for the reconstruction of peace talks''.

``With the full consensus of the Cabinet, I have....issued an order to the Secretary of National Defence and the Armed Forces Chief of Staff directing the suspension of military offensives vis-a-vis the MILF.''

The new policy also means a complete departure from the approach adopted by Mr. Estrada, who launched a bloody offensive against the MILF last year.

However, Ms. Arroyo said the ceasefire was restricted to the MILF and not to the Abu Sayyaf group, responsible for a string of kidnappings of western tourists and journalists last year.

The announcement was welcomed by an MILF spokesman, Mr. Eid Kabalu, saying his group's ``focus of attention is the peace talks''.

``I hope that the MILF will take this move as ample proof of the sincerity and determination of the Government to take the high road to peace,'' she said, making it clear that the areas captured last year by the Philippine security forces would not be returned to the MILF.

Ms. Arroyo also said that the ceasefire would allow some five lakh displaced persons to return to their homes and immediate implementation of rehabilitation and development projects.

``I say building peace would be less expensive than supporting an all-out war,'' she added. ``There shall be no return of territory to the MILF,'' she said, stressing that the ceasefire was ``just a starting point for negotiations''.

The President has also appointed Mr. Jesus Dureza, presidential assistant, as head of an official panel that would negotiate with the MILF.

Ms. Arroyo's initiative appears to be a positive one, though attempts in the past to negotiate with the MILF did not prove successful. The talks process will not be an easy one also given the suspicion between the security forces and the MILF rebels.

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Section  : International
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