USAID official vows aid to MILF rebel returnees

A visiting American official said yesterday the United States will help former secessionist rebels return to society after the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signs a peace agreement with the government.

Ambassador Wendy Chamberlin of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) relayed the assurance of President George W. Bush to President Arroyo during a courtesy call at Malacañang.

"Aid as it might be available as a result of these discussions will only be available if there is peace, if there is an end to violence in the areas," she told reporters after meeting Mrs. Arroyo.

"These are important matters that we certainly hope all parties will take seriously. But you might expect our programs in Mindanao now for the (Moro National Liberation Front) will certainly be a good model for what might be up there."

The US Congress has earmarked $30 million for a peace and development package for Mindanao to be released after the signing of a peace agreement, she added.

US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone said the role of the US in peace talks with the MILF was agreed upon by President Arroyo and Bush during her state visit to Washington early this year.

"The US Institute of Peace is the American agent in this process to support what the Malaysians are doing with the two parties to the conflict," he said.

"The US government is staying back a bit and letting this US agency, almost a non-governmental organization, play a leading role."

Ricciardone said the US Institute of Peace is gathering "distinguished, very eminent and credible Americans" to help bring peace to Mindanao.

"Americans who have experience in diplomacy, perhaps even a retired American general officer with experience in statesmanship, to lend their expertise, to speak with the parties in conflct, witness to what they agree to," he said.

"We hope to add confidence to the parties in conflict who do not have confidence in each other’s ability and willingness to keep their word."

Chamberlin was accompanied to Malacañang by Ricciardone and USAID officials in the Philippines led by Michael Yates.

Chamberlin is in the country to review various USAID-funded projects, the bulk of which include rehabilitation projects for former MNLF rebels in Mindanao. – Marichu Villanueva