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The Arroyo administration is ready to resume the stalled peace
negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
‘’without preconditions,’’ an official said Tuesday.
Newly appointed chairman of the government panel
Ambassador Rafael Seguis said the government has been preparing to
‘’move forward’’ with the peace talks with the MILF, in an
effort to reinforce government commitment to peace through
negotiations.
Seguis said the composition of the panel has
been completed with Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman Sr.
representing the Muslims, Mayor Adelbert Antonino of General Santos
City representing the local government and the Christian community
and sectoral representative Ronald Adamat from Maguindanao to
represent the lumads (tribe).
‘’But it takes two to tango,” Seguis said,
adding that whatever are the five preconditions the MILF have before
going to the negotiating table have to be taken up during the talks
and not released through media.
‘’Let them come to us to talk. We will deal
with them at the negotiating table, and we shall find a way,’’
Seguis said.
He added that there are still some ‘’kinks
to iron out,’’ such as the composition of the International
Monitoring Team and the role of Malaysia in the talks as mediator or
facilitator.
Seguis said the President wants the government
panel’s strategy to be submitted on January 20.
-- Angelo S. Samonte
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