‘Fireworks’ Seen In OIC Meeting

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 12): ‘Fireworks’ Seen In OIC Meeting

“Fireworks” from Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari are expected in Djibouti, East Africa, as the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), MNLF, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) attend the 39th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Nov. 15 to 17. The MNLF has an observer status in the OIC while the GRP has applied for an observer seat. Since the mid-70s, the “Question on Muslims in Southern Philippines” has been enshrined in the OIC annals. The 57-member state pan-Islamic body brokered the historic 1976 Tripoli Agreement and the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) both signed by the GRP and MNLF. In the GRP-MILF peace talks, the OIC is now an observer. Hadji Datu Acmad Bayam, former chief MNLF propagandist, told the Manila Bulletin he sees “fireworks in Djibouti” as he expects Misuari to express a mouthful on the incomplete implementation of the FPA and the signing of the GRP-MILF Framework Agreement (FA) on Oct. 15. “Misuari’s fireworks re: GRP-MILF FA is expected at OIC Djibouti meeting. But GRP is determined to pursue the peace process in terms of transforming the letter and spirit of the FA without prejudice to the 1996 GRP-MNLF FPA. “I also expect Brother Nur to open up on the FPA as its implementation is still being reviewed. What he is going to say both on the FPA and FA is not going to be pleasant to the ears,” said Bayam. Prof. Mashur Ghalib bin Jundam, “confidant” to Misuari and the group’s Central Committee, said Misuari and his delegation left Monday morning for Djibouti. On the other hand, Undersecretary Rafael Seguis said the GRP delegation was scheduled to leave yesterday afternoon to attend the OIC meeting. Seguis, head of the GRP group, said OIC Secretary General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanuglo addressed the OIC’s invitation to Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario. He said the two-member Philippine team (with Atty. Zoilo Velasco), will be complemented in Djibouti by Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezeddin Tago and Ambassador to Egypt Claro Cristobal, who is also non-resident envoy to Djibouti. “We will be pushing our application for observer status,” said Seguis, adding that they will answer any possible “badmouthing” from any source. Ghazali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman for political affairs, said earlier their group will be sending a “high-level delegation” to the OIC meeting in Djibouti. Some members of the MILF delegation are senior peace negotiator lawyer Datu Michael Mastura, negotiator Robert Maulana Alonto, and Muhajirrin Ali. Jaafar did not say whether MILF Chairman Al-Haji Murad Ebrahim is delegation head. Earlier, Ihsanuglo welcomed the GRP-MILF’s FA, at the same time saying that whatever peace accord that would come out should be linked to the Tripoli Agreement....

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/381177/fireworks-seen-in-oic-meeting