Norway offers to host informal RP-NDF talks

Norway has urged the Philippine government and communist rebels to resume peace talks aimed at ending a 36-year insurgency, an official said yesterday.

Two Norwegian officials visited Manila early this week to invite peace negotiators to Oslo "for an informal consultation... to discuss the possible resumption of formal talks," said Rene Sarmiento, President Arroyo’s adviser on the peace process.

The Norwegians informed Philippine officials that the Marxist umbrella, National Democratic Front (NDF), which represents the rebels in the talks, was open to attending.

"We will look at the wisdom, the pros and cons, the merits and demerits of the invitation of the Norwegian government," Sarmiento said. "It is very worth considering... if it will advance the peace process."

Norway has brokered the talks since February 2004 and hosted at least three formal rounds.

Formal talks scheduled for late August 2004 were postponed by the NDF when the United States refused to remove the rebels from its terror list. — AP