'Hillary's call for action on peace process addressed to MILF, not government'

SINGAPORE – Malacañang said yesterday the perceived pressure from the United States government for a final peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is aimed more at the Islamic insurgents than at the state.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the statements made by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about the peace process with the MILF were addressed to the MILF more than to the government.

Remonde said Clinton, during the dinner hosted by President Arroyo in Malacañang last Thursday, recalled the experience of her husband, former President Bill Clinton, with then-Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat near the end of his term.

Clinton told Mrs. Arroyo that her husband was pushing for peace in the Middle East but Arafat was reluctant and pushed for more demands.

“And so the administration of President Clinton was over and then when Clinton was already out of office, Yasser Arafat called Clinton, he was already willing to make a peace deal. Clinton said I’m no longer president,” Remonde said, quoting Clinton.

During a forum held at the University of Santo Tomas last Friday, Clinton said “the conditions for peace are ripe. People really want to see it. I hope no one misses this opportunity.”

“So strike while the iron is hot, when people are in the mood and willing to make peace. Do not sleep, do not rest until we finally get there,” she said.

Remonde said the government is encouraged by the fact that this issue was broadly discussed between Mrs. Arroyo and Clinton during the dinner.

“(But) the statement is not really addressed to the Philippine government. The statement is really addressed to the MILF,” he said.

“I think the message was in the context of that discussion, that it’s better for the MILF to seal a peace deal with this administration because this administration has demonstrated very consistently its desire to achieve equitable, genuine and lasting peace in Mindanao, something that the MILF cannot be assured of in the next administration,” he added.

Remonde was obviously referring to the possibility of a member of the political opposition taking over from Mrs. Arroyo next year.

He cited the “rhetorics” of some of the leading candidates on the Mindanao issue, specifically former President Joseph Estrada, who stated that he would resume an all-out war in Mindanao if he returns as president.

“Or with Mar Roxas being very vocal on this issue in the past and with Noynoy, us not knowing how he really wants to pursue this issue,” Remonde said, referring to Senators Manuel Roxas II and Benigno Aquino III, respectively.