The United States Institute of Peace to help the Philippines resolve the Moro Islamic problem in Mindanao? From the Manila Times:

The United States is actively participating in the peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front through a US government-funded agency, US Ambassador to the Philippines Francis Ricciardone disclosed on Friday.

In an exclusive interview with The Manila Times, Ricciardone said the US government decided to participate in the peace process after it was approached by a faction of the MILF for help in carrying out livelihood programs.

Ricciardone identified the “quasi nongovernment organization” as the United States Institute for Peace (USIP). The Washington-based agency is headed by Richard Solomon–who served as US ambassador to the Philippines in 1992–and is staffed by former ranking US government officials.

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Posted by Willie Galang at June 27, 2003 12:45 PM | TrackBack