CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM CONTINUES FOLLOWING LATEST

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002846

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/PMBS, INR/EAP, USIP-SOLOMON
NSC FOR GREEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2015
TAGS: PINS PTER PREL MY RP
SUBJECT: CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM CONTINUES FOLLOWING LATEST
GRP-MILF INFORMAL TALKS

REF: A. MANILA 1857


B. MANILA 2559

C. MANILA 2785

D. MANILA 1748

E. MANILA 2777

Classified By: Political Officer Joseph Saus
for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) A GRP-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Joint
Statement heralded as a success the eighth round of
"exploratory talks" on June 21 between their respective peace
panels under Malaysian facilitation in Kuala Lumpur (ref A).
The talks were "marked with a high level of mutual trust and
confidence," according to the document. The GRP's Office of
the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
provided poloff the statement (full text below) in which
Malaysia joined the GRP in congratulating the MILF on its
successful May 30 Public Consultation (ref B),and recognized
the resulting "clear mandate from the Bangsamoro People" for
the MILF to negotiate for a lasting political solution. The
parties extended the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group's Interim
Guidelines for a year (ref C).


2. (SBU) Comment. This round did not provide any
breakthroughs, although the sense of optimism remains strong
among both parties instead of just with the always-rosy
OPAPP. According to the statement, all sides are focusing on
the "Governance Aspect of Ancestral Domain" (ref D) and
intend to tackle this subject even more deeply in July.
Separately, contacts with the MILF Peace Panel's Technical
Working Group noted progress in discussing the "Sudan
formula" of political autonomy (e.g., incorporating among
other things power and wealth sharing as components of a
political settlement). Press reports indicate several models
are under consideration, according to OPAPP head Secretary
Teresita Deles.


3. (C) Comment continued. One concern is that leadership
crises in the past have forced the peace process to the back
burner. Although there are no current indications that the
GRP is unfocused regarding the peace process, there is a
possibility the shaky political situation in Manila (ref E)
could deflect the Administration's attention away from the
negotiations. The sense of optimism spawned from the May 30
MILF consultatation still exists, but the meticulous and
contentious nature of ancestral domain will require more
attention than the GRP may be able to spare in the near term.
End Comment.


4. (U) Begin Full Text of GRP-MILF Joint Statement.

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST BENEFICENT, THE MOST MERCIFUL

JOINT STATEMENT

The 8th Round of Exploratory Talks between the Government of
the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) through the facilitation of the
Government of Malaysia held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June
20-21, 2005 was marked with a high level of mutual trust and
confidence.

The Parties, while expressing satisfaction with the positive
achievements of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG),agreed
to the extension of the Interim Guidelines of the AHJAG for a
period of one (1) year from June 21, 2005, subject to further
discussions on proposed amendments to its guidelines.

The Malaysian Secretariat joined hands with the GRP Panel in
congratulating the successful holding of the MILF General
Consultation at Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, a
tribute to the leadership of the MILF and a reflection of its
clear mandate from the Bangsamoro People to negotiate with
the Philippine Government toward a peaceful, just, lasting
and comprehensive political solution to the Bangsamoro
problem.

Both Parties agreed to forge clear parameters and principles
to be pursued on the strand on Governance of the Ancestral
Domain aspect of the negotiations. In this context, the
Parties agreed to resume talks in July 2005.

Finally, both Parties express their gratitude to the
Malaysian Government for the continuing support to ensure the
success of the GRP-MILF Peace Process.

Done on the 21st of June 2005 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

For the GRP

(signed)

SEC. SILVESTRE C. AFABLE, JR.
Chairman, GRP Peace Panel

For the MILF

(signed)

MOHAGHER M. IQBAL
Chairman, MILF Peace Panel

End Full Text.
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