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JAPAN TO AID IN SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES MONITORING TEAM
INT'L MONITORING TEAM (IMT) FOR MINDANAO PEACE PROCESS TO INCLUDE JAPANESE NEGOTIATORS, DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS 25 July 2006 Philippine president Gloria Arroyo's government announced Sunday from Malacañang presidential palace in Manila that Japan will be joining the International Monitoring Team officially aiding in the moderation of peace talks between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which has been leading an insurrection on the large southern island of Mindanao. Japan's role will go beyond simply monitoring or contributing to negotiations. It will also help to implement expansive development projects for the southern Philippines, to attempt to stabilize and integrate the political environment into the larger Philippines sphere. The insurrection there has been ongoing, sporadically, for nearly 4 decades. Peace talks for creating a lasting ceasefire between MILF and the Philippine government have been stalled by contention over proposals for a designated ancestral homeland for Philippine Muslims. The MILF wants more territory, and the central government prefers not to relinquish control of the designated area. The new team of monitors would assist in addressing this difficult issue and working with both sides to arrange a compromise that could bring peace, at least with the largest rebel faction. One Japanese diplomat expressed optimism that a peace agreement may be near. Japan is already the largest official aid donor to the Philippines, and the two nations have a history of cooperation going back to the reopening of diplomatic ties, in the 1950s, after World War II, when Allied forces helped to take the island nation back from Japan. Gulf News reports "The MILF welcomed Japan's willingness to build classrooms, water supply systems and health care centres before a peace pact had been signed. The group had asked for Japan's help as early as December 2004." It is considered an important step toward peace to provide vital infrastructure that will help Mindanao to have a more functional, self-sustaining economic outlook. Japan's accession to the IMT for Mindanao marks the first time a non-member of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) will have a direct role. It is thought this could lend to more serious hopes for a lasting negotiated settlement, as the field of interests involved is diversified. It is unclear at present just how much autonomy the MILF is looking for. It's militia of 12,000 now represents an independence movement going back 4 decades, and some worry it may be difficult to achieve the level of autonomy the movement desires —let alone more radical factions—, while still maintaining the territorial integrity of the Philippines and satisfying the Philippine government and majority-Catholic population. Japan is also expected to contribute at least $3.5 million in disaster relief aid, directed partly toward "capacity-building" measures, to expand infrastructure and help with rapid response to natural disaster situations which could endanger lives. [s]
OTHER PHILIPPINES INFORMATION: According to the Houston Chronicle, media reports throughout the last week had given details of an alleged plot to use mass celebrations of the 1986 ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, to stoke popular sentiment against Arroyo government, sway military officers to join in public demand she resign. [Full Story] PHILIPPINES UNDER MARTIAL LAW AGAINST ALLEGED COUP |
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