High-level Indonesian team meets with MILF

Indonesia indicated its interest in the peace process in Mindanao by having a high-level delegation from its embassy in Manila meet with the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in Maguindanao over the weekend. The MILF on Sunday said the meeting, which was held Saturday at its Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao, took up a standing invitation for Indonesia to join the International Monitoring Team (IMT). “You(r) coming here is a big boost to the morale and determination of our people, and a strong indication of the high intention of the Indonesia to help the ongoing GRP – MILF peace process," MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar told the delegation. Jaafar said Indonesia could help the peace process by being a "strong member" of the Organization of Islamic Conference. Excerpts of his statements were posted Sunday on the MILF Website. Representing the MILF at the meeting were Jaafar, chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) chief of staff Sammy Mansoor, central committee secretary Muhammad Ameen, peace panel member Michael Mastura, peace panel secretariat chief Jun Mantawil, and MILF Ceasefire Committee chairman Toks Ebrahim. Representing the Indonesian Embassy were deputy chief of mission Abdullah Kusumaningprang, Minister Counsellor for Political Affairs Andhika Bangbang Supeno, and Defence Attache Col. Djakaria Girsang. “We are greatly honored to meet the representatives of the Indonesian government and its people whom we look upon, like the Malaysians, as our big brothers," Jaafar told the Indonesian delegates. He reiterated the MILF's commitment to resolve the Bangsamoro issue through negotiated political settlement that is comprehensive, just, lasting and acceptable to the Bangasmoro people. When asked by the deputy ambassador what role the MILF wants Indonesia to play, Jaafar said the MILF and the Bangsamoro people "need the full support of Indonesia to the ongoing peace process." "What’s most important is to muster a negotiated political settlement for what are economic development, humanitarian interventions, ceasefire and security if we do not have the peace settlement of the root cause of the problem that is political," he said. Iqbal provided updates on the status of the peace negotiations, even as he emphasized that the MILF only wants the restoration of the rights of the Bangsamoro people to self-governance, homeland and identity. Iqbal said he is convinced that Indonesia will be of big help to the IMT which is now presently composed of the governments of Malaysia, as Head of Mission, Brunei, Libya and Japan that monitors the security, humanitarian, socio-economic, civilian protection aspects of the peace process on the ground. For his part, Kusumaningprang commended the MILF for its clear and open outlook on the peace process, adding that he will immediately report to his ambassador the result of the meeting so that his ambassador can report to their home office in Jakarta. He said his government is highly committed to help the peace process in Mindanao and the resolution of the Bangsamoro issue. He also gave assurance that this meeting will not be the first and the last. - KBK, GMANews.TV