GOVERNMENT AND MILF TO HOLD EXECUTIVE SESSION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002852 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2017 TAGS: PREL PINS KISL RP SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT AND MILF TO HOLD EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PEACE TALKS REF: A. MANILA 2838 ¶B. MANILA 1337 Classified By: Pol/C Thomas Gibbons for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: In a step to keep an important Mindanao peace process alive, a key Muslim insurgent group today accepted the Philippine government's decision to postpone negotiations slated to start August 22 in Kuala Lumpur, and proposed extending by three months the mandate of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) credited the intercession of the Malaysian facilitator in their decision to maintain the negotiations, and agreed to the Philippine government's proposal for an "executive session" of the exploratory peace talks before the end of August to confirm the international monitoring team's extension (ref A). The MILF said it wanted to give the Philippine government time to reach consensus on its negotiating plan for Kuala Lumpur, and, less altruistically, enable the government to drop criminal charges against MILF members wanted in the July 10 beheading of ten Marines on Basilan. The government has agreed to meet next week and extend the international monitors. Separately, the president's peace process advisor told Charge that the Cabinet was unable to reach consensus on its negotiating strategy last week because several key appointees questioned the constitutionality of plans for a Muslim political entity in Mindanao. End summary. ¶2. (C) The MILF Central Committee issued a public statement August 22 announcing its acceptance of the government's decision to postpone the Kuala Lumpur talks and it's willingness to extend for three months the mandate of the Malaysian-led international monitoring team. MILF peace panel member Michael Mastura attributed the Muslim insurgent group's decision to the intervention of the Malaysian facilitator, Datuk Ohtman bin Abdul Razak, who visited the MILF camp in Sultan Kudarat in Central Mindanao. The MILF announcement called for an executive session between the government and MILF in Kuala Lumpur before August 30 to confirm the extension of the monitoring team's mandate. ¶3. (C) Philippine negotiator Ryan Sullivan confirmed to poloff August 22 that the government was preparing to take part in an executive session in Malaysia between Peace Panel Chairman Rodolfo Garcia and his MILF counterpart, Mohagher Iqbal, next week. Sullivan said both sides "would take stock of all issues on the negotiating table and how to proceed." The government would also agree to extend the monitoring team's tour of duty during the executive session, said Sullivan. ¶4. (C) In a discussion with Charge today, President Arroyo's peace process advisor Jesus Dureza said that concerns raised by several Cabinet members were responsible for the government's decision not to endorse a negotiating position based on the concept of "self-determination" at a security council meeting last Friday. In particular, Legal Advisor Apostal questioned the constitutionality of self determination for a new Muslim political entity without prior holding of a plebiscite. New Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, a highly regarded lawyer, raised similar concerns. Other Cabinet members pressed for further consultations on the proposal with local Muslim political leaders, including former Sultan Kudarat province governor -- and now congressman -- Pax Mangudadatu, who is adamantly opposed to inclusion of any part of his province in a Muslim homeland. COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (C) President Arroyo and former chief government negotiator Afable announced several months ago the government's new offer of "self-determination," which the MILF found enticing. With Afable no longer in the Cabinet, it appears that support for that position has weakened. Fortunately, the Malaysians and the MILF have given the government the time needed to reconcile its position. End comment. ¶6. (SBU) The text of the MILF Central Committee's August 22 statement follows: In consideration of the intervention of the Malaysian facilitator, Datuk Ohtman bin Abdul Razak, and his Party during their meeting with the MILF Central Committee and the MILF Peace Panel at Camp Daranapan on August 22, 2007, the MILF wishes to make the following statement: MANILA 00002852 002 OF 002 The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) understands the reasons of the Government of the Philippines (GRP) postponing the Exploratory Talks scheduled on August 22 in Kuala Lumpur which was conveyed through the Third party facilitator, namely: (1) to allow the GRP Panel more space to seek clear mandate and guidelines from its Principal; and (2) to enable the GRP to drop the criminal cases filed against the 67 members of the MILF implicated in the July 10, 2007, Basilan incident. In view of the postponement and the need to decide on the extension of the tour of duty of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) which will expire on August 30, 2007, the MILF agrees to the said extension for three (3) months subject to the concurrence of the GRP and to be confirmed at the Executive Meeting of the Panels of both Parties before the expiry date of the tour of duty of the IMT. We take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to the Government of Malaysia and members of the international community for their support to the peace process and for averting further hostilities between the Armed forces of the MILF and GRP. Mohagher Iqbal Chairman Committee on Information MILF Central Committee End Text Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/ JONES