Gov’t warned on bid to remove KL’s mediator in RP-MILF talks
By Michaela P. del Callar 11/16/2010The Philippine government’s demand to replace Malaysia’s long-time facilitator in the peace process between the government and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is delaying the resumption of peace talks, diplomatic sources yesterday said.
Sources added the government peace panel wants to replace Datuk Othman Bin Abdul Razak for his “obvious display of bias” toward the MILF.
“The government wants Malaysia to appoint a neutral facilitator so that the peace process can move forward,” a Foreign Affairs official told the Tribune.
Other diplomats interviewed by the Tribune warned that the resumption of peace talks is “not likely to happen” within the year unless the Aquino government would drop such demand.
The previous government of President Arroyo also made a similar attempt to seek the removal of Othman as Malaysian facilitator, but failed. The MILF has threatened to withdraw from the negotiations if Othman is replaced..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101116hed3.html
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