A follow-up on this TCP post regarding the forthcoming role of the USIP in brokering peace between the Philippine government and the Islamic secessionists. From the Philippine Daily Inquirer:

The United States is now keen on brokering peace negotiations between the Philippine government and Muslim rebels, following reports that Malaysia was having second thoughts about hosting the talks.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel Saturday announced that the US government was "forming a team to craft an appropriate role" for itself in the long-stalled process, should Malaysia pull out.

Quoting official sources, the Inquirer earlier reported that Malaysia would back out unless the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stopped treating MILF peace negotiators as terrorists. This was after Malacaņang turned down the Malaysian government's proposal to lift the arrest warrants against the MILF leadership.

Pimentel made the disclosure after a meeting with Ambassador Richard Solomon, president of the US Institute of Peace (USIP).

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Posted by Willie Galang at July 5, 2003 08:38 PM | TrackBack