Government open to OIC mediation — Batenga

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The chief government negotiator welcomes possible mediation by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in the resumption of peace negotiations with the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

But retired Gen. Edgardo Batenga said "certain issues must first be clarified" on the OIC’s participation in the peace process, as the MILF demanded in a resolution this week.

"We are open to that but there is a need to settle first the extent of the participation of the OIC as mediator and (its) specific involvement," Batenga said in a radio interview.

Batenga, who said he received the MILF resolution two days ago, sought a meeting with the MILF’s technical working group to clarify some "vital points" in the resolution.

He said they need to determine how the OIC’s mediation will affect the existing peace agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) which the OIC, an influential group of 54 Muslim countries, brokered more than four years ago.

Batenga also cited the need to look into certain protocol considerations and finally establish the OIC’s willingness to mediate in the talks.

The MILF, in its resolution, declared it would only entertain peace efforts channeled through the OIC, practically cutting off its communication lines with the government peace panel.

"The MILF will only respond to an initiative from the OIC and any of its member-states for the resumption of the peace talks with the government," states the resolution signed by MILF chairman for military affairs Al Haj Murad.

The separatist Muslim group also reiterated that the government must respect and recognize all previous agreements, including the verification and acknowledgment of MILF camps and arrangements on the control of the Narciso Ramos Highway.

The government, the MILF added, must also show its sincerity by observing a general cessation of hostilities, as earlier agreed upon, and pulling out all government troops from MILF camps.

Batenga said they are also willing to discuss the possible implementation of previous agreements with the MILF, particularly on the ceasefire and recognition of its camps.

He said they will consider the possible pullout of government troops from so-called MILF territories subject to the technical and operational procedures vital to both sides.

"We will look into these agreements and study mechanisms that we can mutually implement," he said.

Batenga said the government is committed to pursue peace negotiations with the MILF, adding that President Estrada himself ordered him to make the necessary moves to bring the MILF back to the negotiating table.

"Our political leadership believes that only a peaceful negotiation and a genuine political solution can end the Mindanao problem," he said.

He said the government will continue to pursue confidence-building measures and back-channel negotiations with the MILF.

President Estrada suspended the peace talks last June after the MILF refused to abandon its secessionist stand and end the armed struggle.

The military subsequently launched an all-out offensive, capturing 46 of the MILF’s camps throughout Mindanao, prompting MILF chief Hashim Salamat to declare a jihad or holy war.— With John Unson