A golden chance for Mindanao

There is guarded optimism as formal peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front begin today in Kuala Lumpur. To get the talks going again is a small victory in itself, considering the many obstacles that stood in the way. One particularly thorny issue involved the United States’ recent caution to Manila against negotiating with an organization that is allegedly in league with the Jemaah Islamiah, a group Washington has listed as terrorist. Even Philippine security forces have long claimed that Jemaah Islamiah recruits were training in MILF camps, a claim the MILF has consistently denied. That issue, however, has since been put aside.

Malaysia should be credited for not wavering in getting the parties back to the negotiating table. It has played its role of peace broker to the hilt. It is also heartening that other entities have volunteered to help resolve the conflict. Norway had expressed interest to mediate, and so did the United Nations secretary-general, Kofi Annan. Even US President George W. Bush had pitched in. He pledged to release at least $30 million for the rehabilitation and development of war-torn areas in Mindanao once the government and the MILF seal a final peace agreement.