CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS REMAINS KEY ISSUE FOR MILF

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 001091 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/07/2018 TAGS: PREL PINS KISL RP SUBJECT: CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS REMAINS KEY ISSUE FOR MILF PEACE TALKS REF: A. MANILA 1021 (AMBASSADOR AND FOREIGN SECRETARY DISCUSS PEACE PROCESS) ¶B. MANILA 0912 (KEY PEACE DOCUMENT UNDER LEGAL REVIEW) ¶C. MANILA 836 (AMBASSADOR ENGAGES FOREIGN SECRETARY ON PEACE PROCESS) ¶D. MANILA 518 (GUARDED PROGRESS FOR MINDANAO PEACE PROCESS) ¶E. MANILA 455 (AMBASSADOR URGES MILF CHIEF TO EMBRACE PEACE) ¶F. MANILA 454 (PRESIDENT ARROYO COMMITTED TO PEACE PROCESS) Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) During an April 30 visit to Cagayan de Oro, the Ambassador and President Gloria Arroyo discussed the impasse in peace negotiations, and the impending withdrawal of the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) from Mindanao. The Ambassador again emphasized U.S. support for a negotiated peace process and stressed the need to move forward on an ancestral domain agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). President Arroyo said she remained committed to the peace process and expressed appreciation for Malaysia's third party facilitation. However, she was skeptical about Malaysia's future role in the International Monitoring Team monitoring the Government-MILF cease-fire, commenting that she would not oppose Malaysia's decision to begin withdrawing its 41-member contingent on May 10. ¶2. (C) On April 29, the day before the meeting with President Arroyo, the Ambassador engaged Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo on the need for substantive progress toward a peace agreement. Noting that the MILF peace talks have been stalled while government lawyers continue to review provisions in a draft ancestral domain agreement, the Ambassador told Romulo that continued progress was necessary to keep all parties involved in the peace process (ref A). ¶3. (C) Separately, Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza told Deputy Chief of Mission May 2 that President Arroyo was eager to reach an agreement, but the legal requirement for a constitutional process remained a major stumbling block for the MILF peace talks. Dureza said the Administration was virtually finished with the legal review of the draft ancestral domain agreement. Ultimately, the decision was up to the President, as the legal review would likely be mixed and the Cabinet was divided. He said President Arroyo had directed him to establish direct contacts with MILF leadership, in addition to Malaysian facilitation. DCM underscored the importance of visible progress on the negotiating track to maintain the peace. Dureza agreed. KENNEY