The new ilustrados? AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Ken Fuller 01/05/2010

The new ilustrados? AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Ken Fuller 01/05/2010 Several observers have commented on the unusually close relationship that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) appears to enjoy with the USA — and especially with outgoing Ambassador Kristie Kenney. Quite how close the relationship has been was made clear by an editorial on the MILF Web site (www.luwaran.com) following the announcement that Kenney was to be replaced. Dated Nov. 23, 2009, the editorial is headed “Good Bye! [sic] Madame Ambassador” and begins by thanking her for “being with us for three years and a half. Surely, we’ll miss you!” This outsider is puzzled. Is this “us” a reference to the Filipino people? This can hardly be the case, as the MILF does not (as the editorial makes clear) consider the Bangsamoro people to be Filipinos. But how can the “us” refer to anyone else, given that Kenney was the US Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines?.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.classicposters.com/commentary/20100105com6.html

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