International
Malaysia deports Misuari to Philippines
By Amit Baruah
SINGAPORE, JAN. 7. After more than a month of haggling, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chief, Nur Misuari, was deported by Malaysia to Manila today. Mr. Misuari faces rebellion charges in the Philippines.
The MNLF leader was arrested in Malaysia after he fled a failed uprising in the southern Mindanao region in protest against the Government's decision to back a rival in elections to the post of Governor.
The Arroyo Government blew hot and cold before accepting an agreement reached between the Foreign Ministers of the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia that Mr. Misuari would be returned to Manila.
Speaking to reporters, the Malaysian Foreign Minister, Syed Hamid Albar, said in Kuala Lumpur that Mr. Misuari was flown back to Manila in a Malaysian military aircraft this morning.
``We never change our mind. That is the position we have taken from the start and we have said we will send him back. We have kept our word and our commitment to the Philippines Government,'' Mr. Hamid said.
``We are happy that we have kept our commitment and it (a reference to Mr. Misuari) is no longer our responsibility,'' Mr. Hamid stated.
There is a palpable sense of relief in the statement of Mr. Hamid - a clear indication that Malaysia wanted to get rid of Mr. Misuari as quickly as possible.
Malaysia did not want its relations with the Philippines to be disturbed by the Misuari issue and had been asking Manila to accept the MNLF leader as quickly as possible.
The Philippine President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and her Government, however, seemed to have taken the view that Mr. Misuari's return to the country could complicate matters with their new allies in Mindanao - a faction of the MNLF and the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Towards the end of November, Mr. Misuari's supporters rose in rebellion during which 160 persons were killed in fighting with the security forces.
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
International
|
