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MILF skeptical over Libya lead role in IMT


MANILA, Philippines - While it welcomes the Libyan government's offer to help monitor its ceasefire with government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) expressed skepticism in Libya's taking a lead role in the International Monitoring Team (IMT). In an article posted on the MILF website, MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar noted that the IMT terms of reference explicitly provided that Malaysia will head the IMT, and that other countries and groups shall be invited to participate in the IMT. The MILF and GRP peace panels signed the terms of reference Sept. 8, 2004 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Datuk Othman bin Abdulrazak signed the document as chief Malaysian facilitator, Jaafar noted. "(The MILF) welcomes the gesture of the Libyan government to help the ceasefire hold in Mindanao but to replace Malaysia as lead country in the 60-man International Monitoring Team is entirely a different matter," Jaafar said. Jaafar noted that the IMT terms of reference may not be amended unless agreed upon by the government and MILF panels. "This cannot be changed except when the two Parties, the government and the MILF, will meet and amend the IMT-TOR, which is remote under current status of the peace talks," Jaafar said. However, the IMT issue is merely a side issue in the negotiations, saying the main agenda in the talks remains the finalization of the memorandum of agreement on the issue of ancestral domain. For his part, MILF deputy spokesman Khaled Musa accused national security adviser Norberto Gonzales and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza of bad faith for trying to "secure the nods of our Libyan brothers on board the IMT in full force at the back of everybody and without following the TOR of the IMT." "This is sowing intrigues and darkness among the direct players in the peace talks. This is unacceptable; it will not work," Musa said. Dureza reportedly said he will meet with Gonzales, who will arrive this week, to discuss the takeover by Libyan troops of the IMT leadership. Libya has played several important roles as facilitator in Mindanao's peace process, including negotiations between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). - GMANews.TV
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