ARMM LEADERSHIP PLEDGES COOPERATION ON TERRORISM,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 001845 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MTS; PLEASE PASS USAID E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID PTER EAGR RP SUBJECT: ARMM LEADERSHIP PLEDGES COOPERATION ON TERRORISM, DEVELOPMENT ¶1. (SBU) Summary. In an April 20 meeting with Ambassador, Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan and his senior staff acknowledged the vital importance of combating terrorism but expressed a hope that the GRP would involve Local Government Units more directly in the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). They thanked the USG for its assistance, including PL-480 funds as well as USAID programs, and noted heightened powers for the ARMM on donor coordination. Our cooperation with the ARMM government will grow increasingly important with the eventual signing of a GRP/MILF accord and its implementation. Governor Ampatuan's initiative in reaching out to the Embassy is a good sign that this relationship will promote further peace and development throughout Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. End Summary. ¶2. (U) ARMM Governor Ampatuan, who won the August 2005 elections and became governor at the end of September, sought an early appointment with the Ambassador. On April 20, he brought eight members of his senior staff for an hour- long meeting in Manila with her and relevant members of the Country Team. The Governor's staff provided extensive materials, including the Governor's inaugural remarks, plan of action, and list of senior officials to share with the Embassy. Counterterrorism -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The Governor and his staff vowed to continue cooperation with the USG in combating terrorism, recognizing that peace was a necessary prerequisite for development. They described a new Memorandum of Understanding between the ARMM and the Bureau of Immigration to resolve a current lack of formal immigration controls throughout the ARMM, as well as another Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Tourism that would help also fight terrorism while at the same time promoting more tourism in the ARMM. The Ambassador expressed appreciation for the serious attention to security described by the Governor and staff. ¶4. (SBU) However, the ARMM officials voiced some concerns about a future peace accord between the GRP and the MILF, noting the still contentious issue of ancestral domain. They expressed the hope that the GRP would allow a greater rol for Local Government Units (including the ARMM's ive provinces and one city) in preparing for andin implementing this eventual accord. The Goveror highlighted that he represented all the Bangsamoro people, not any one tribe or group. Develpment -------------- ¶5. (U) The Governorand his staff expressed appreciation for USG assstance in the ARMM and requested the continuatio - and even expansion -- of these various programs, which had already contributed significantly togrowing peac and development throughout the ARMM. They called for special attention to the most ppulous province of Maguindanao. They underlinedthe centrality of education, and offered special hanks for the USAID-funded Equalls program (provding both opportunities for school-age youth to emain in school and advice on amendments to the RMM Education Act to make it more inclusive). The Ambassador promised that various USAID programs wuld remain robust in the ARMM and other conflictaffected areas of Mindanao, and that we would mantain the close cooperation between the Embassy nd the ARMM government. She underscored our commitment to help bring peace and prosperity throughout the Philippines. ¶6. (U) The ARMM officials also lauded the important infrastructure projects by the USAID-funded GEM program and sought the Ambassador's support for expansion of the World Bank-funded Land Administration Management Program (LAMP) into the ARMM. They noted the successful use of USDA PL-80 funds, especially for farm to market roads. They urged "continued sustainable support" from the USG for the ARMM, where most people depended on agriculture, fishing, and forestry. They described two recent Executive Orders from the President that centralized the ARMM government's role in social and economic development, including coordination of MANILA 00001845 002 OF 002 foreign assistance. Comment -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Governor Ampatuan is the first governor to request a meeting with the Ambassador. The high-level nature of his delegation and the serious preparation by the staff reflect the vital importance with which the ARMM officials view the role of the USG in promoting peace and development in the ARMM. Governor Ampatuan has often pledged to have a more hands-on presence in the ARMM capital of Cotaboto City than his predecessor (whom many residents perceived as being virtually based in Manila instead),and this may help to enhance the ARMM's often weak authority over its component provinces. KENNEY