MILF CONTINUES TO SUPPORT PEACE PROCESS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MANILA 001844 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MTS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2018 TAGS: PGOV EAID PINR PREL PHUM KISL RP SUBJECT: MILF CONTINUES TO SUPPORT PEACE PROCESS, INTERESTED IN DEEPER DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION REF: A. MANILA 1697 (PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT TO SIGN TERRITORIAL AGREEMENT WITH MUSLIM INSURGENTS) ¶B. MANILA 1676 (PEACE NEGOTIATIONS WITH MUSLIM INSURGENTS MOVE FORWARD) ¶C. MANILA 1463 (NEW PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR SEEKS RESUMPTION OF MILF PEACE TALKS) Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: In a July 30 meeting with the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF) Camp Simuay, Vice Chairman Ghazali Jafaar discussed the MILF's outlook on the upcoming elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM),the peace process, and the post-peace agreement transition to self-governance. During the meeting, in which DCM and Jafaar exchanged views as they have on previous encounters, the DCM reiterated U.S. government support for the peace process, outlined additional development assistance, and reinforced the need to remove individuals obstructing progress (i.e., terrorists). Jafaar emphasized the MILF's continued support for the peace process, but expressed concern that the August 11 ARMM elections could disrupt progress. Pointing to the future, he described a basic roadmap for the period following the final peace agreement, which would include a six to 10 year transitional government. The DCM suggested to Jafaar that the group increase its public exposure as a way to demystify and humanize their operation for the broader public. Jafaar was accompanied by four Central Committee members. At a subsequent meeting with Cotabato City Mayor and leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Muslimin Sema, the DCM reinforced U.S. support for the peace process and discussed opportunities for additional development projects. Separately, an Assistant Deputy Military Commander with the Philippine Armed Forces Sixth Infantry Division expressed his concern over increasing MILF incursions in key villages. The Defense Attache, Poloff, and A/RSO accompanied the DCM to these meetings. End Summary. Elections, Peace Process, and Public Relations -------------- - ¶2. (C) In a July 30 meeting with Deputy Chief of Mission at the MILF's Camp Simuay in central Mindanao, MILF Vice Chairman for Political Affairs Ghazali Jafaar, flanked by four Central Committee members, discussed his group's outlook on the peace process, the upcoming August 11 ARMM elections, and his thoughts on a post-peace agreement transition. Jafaar expressed concern about Philippine Senate opposition to the postponement of the ARMM elections and about reports from the province of North Cotabato where communities were reportedly arming themselves to oppose inclusion in the new Muslim political entity. Peace negotiations would nonetheless continue, he said, after the anticipated August 5 signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain, which is the next step on the road to a comprehensive peace agreement. Following the final peace agreement, he envisioned a transitional government would operate for a period of six to 10 years, in which time a charter for the new Muslim political entity would be drafted and new electoral systems implemented. ¶3. (C) Describing his group's efforts to expand cooperation with others, Jafaar said that the MILF, the MNLF, local mayors, ARMM Governor Ampatuan, and traditional leaders should unite on common issues to cooperate on the peace process. To that end, Jafaar noted that MILF leader Haji Murad Ebrahim and former MNLF leader Nur Misuari agreed to hold a private meeting in Saudi Arabia, but that it was not yet scheduled. Through frequent meetings with the leader of a grassroots peace movement, Jafaar said he was looking for more ways that non-Muslim groups could help "neutralize" the perceived apprehension of non-Muslims toward the MILF. Noting the positive effect of television coverage during the Ambassador's February meeting with Murad, the DCM encouraged Jafaar to consider more outreach to non-Muslims and further urged him, as a trust-building measure, to let the broader public learn more about the insurgent group and the people who lead it, which could help demystify the group's workings. With regard to the August 5 signing of the territorial agreement in Malaysia, Jafaar stated that a deputy from the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) would attend, MANILA 00001844 002 OF 003 signifying the OIC's support for the MILF peace process. (Note: The OIC only officially recognizes the MNLF.) MILF Receptive to New Foreign Assistance Projects -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Jafaar was receptive to the DCM's proposal for engagement with the U.S. on new U.S. assistance strategies in Mindanao. Projects would encompass areas such as police reform through "model police" initiatives, livelihood projects, drug rehabilitation, and programs for Out-of-School Youth, among others. Jafaar said the MILF might be able to make counterpart contributions in the form of labor, land, raw materials or other in-kind donations to support the execution of some projects. He was receptive to the DCM's suggestion to use projects to build bridges between local government leaders and civil society. Jafaar agreed to follow-up with a meeting between U.S. and MILF teams to discuss strategically how U.S. assistance can help build reconciliation and peace. Philippine Armed Forces Sixth Infantry Commander Wary of MILF -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Sixth Infantry Division Assistant Deputy Commander and Brigadier General Loreto Rirao at his Cotabato City headquarters said his officers on the ground in key municipalities of North Cotabato province were reporting MILF incursions. Rirao worried that these advances were intended to expel non-Muslims in advance of the 2009 plebiscite, which will determine which villages join the current Autonomous Region to form the new Muslim political entity. Increasing incursions by MILF forces outside the cease-fire zone and other recent MILF activities, including the surrounding of an AFP detachment in Aleosan, North Cotabato province, were of growing concern. Since the AFP was in a "hold and protect" mode in support of the peace process rather than on the offensive, Rirao said many citizens were becoming apprehensive. With regard to the August 11 ARMM elections, the AFP would send one battalion to assist with security measures. Reconciliation Between Two Insurgent Groups -------------- ¶6. (C) DCM and Embassy team lunched with Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema, an elected official and MNLF leader. Sema, who meets frequently with Embassy officers, was pleased that his group and the MILF had reconciled some of their differences at a June 14 meeting. Sema noted that he would be open to attending the August 5 signing in Kuala Lumpur of the territorial agreement between the Philippine government and the MILF. Sema also addressed the status of several USAID assistance projects in Cotabato City and highlighted the success of the USNS MERCY humanitarian mission in June. Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) Embassy officials continue to engage high-level Philippine counterparts, the MILF, the MNLF, and local leaders to reinforce the strong U.S. support for the peace process and to encourage the pursuit of a political solution to the conflict in Mindanao. The meeting with Jafaar revealed his group's interest in opening new avenues of cooperation with the U.S. government as we plan project locations for development assistance. We look to a stronger relationship to leverage cooperation against terrorists. The Ambassador and country team are planning a series of visits to Mindanao to engage local leaders on the need to press ahead for peace and to discuss ways that development assistance can help to bring about the conditions for peace in individual communities. We plan to send U.S. Embassy observers to the Cotabato City area to witness the ARMM regional government elections if they take place on August ¶11. List of MILF Participants -------------- ¶8. (C) The following MILF Central Committee members participated in the July 30 meeting at Camp Simuay: MANILA 00001844 003 OF 003 Ghazali Jafaar, Vice-Chairman for Political Affairs; (Mufti) Omar Pasigan, a member of the MILF Executive Committee and Ghazali Jafaar's uncle, educated at Al Azhar University, Cairo; Ahmed Doli, with responsibilities on the Intercommittee and serving as a member of the MILF Executive Committee; Khalifa Nando, with responsibilities on the Shari'ah committee and serving as a member of the MILF Executive Committee; Muhammed Muntasir, with responsibilities on the Shari'ah committee. KENNEY