MILF accepts gov't reasons for postponement of peace talks

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Wednesday accepted the national government's reasons for the postponement of the peace negotiations in Malaysia.

The MILF made this declaration after a meeting of the MILF Central Committee and the MILF Peace Panel at Camp Darapanan.

Mohagher Iqbal, chairman of the MILF information committee, said in a statement that the MILF understands the reasons of the government in postponing the Exploratory Talks scheduled on August 22-24 in Kuala Lumpur.

Iqbal cited the government's reasons, i.e.

(1)  to allow the government peace panel more space to seek clear mandate and guidelines from its Principal; and

(2)  to enable the government peace panel to drop the criminal cases filed against 67 members of the MILF implicated in the July 10, 2007 Basilan incident.

"In view of the postponement and the need to decide on the extension of the tour of duty of the International Monitoring Team which will expire on August 30, 2007, the MILF agrees to the said extension for three (3) months subject to the concurrence of the GRP and to be confirmed at the Executive Meeting of the Panels of both Parties before the expiry date of the tour of duty of the IMT," Iqbal said.

He added, "We take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to the Government of Malaysia and to the members of the international community for their support to the peace process and for averting further hostilities between the Armed Forces of the MILF and the GRP."