GPH-MILF talks, post-FAB signing: the ‘devils’ and ‘angels’ in the details

From MindaNews (Nov 16): GPH-MILF talks, post-FAB signing: the ‘devils’ and ‘angels’ in the details

Unlike last month when they were crafting the final text of what would become the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), there is much laughter now and the faces of the members of the government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels have lightened up as the talks resumed this week, the first since the signing of the FAB on October 15 in Malacanang. There are more people, too – 40 for the GPH delegation and 15 for the MILF – with the three technical working groups (TWGs) on power-sharing, wealth-sharing and normalization meeting simultaneously on the details of the Framework Agreement that would provide for the creation of the Bangsamoro, the new autonomous political entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by June 30, 2016.  At the foyer at the Lower Ground floor of the Palace of the Golden Horses hotel near the TWG meeting rooms, they even jokingly refer to each other by TWGs – the “wealthy” for the wealth-sharing, the “powerful” for the power-sharing and the “normals” for the normalization, the preferred term of the MILF over the usual DDR (disarmament, demobilization and reintegration) in post-conflict situations. But while the relationship between parties has changed from adversaries to partners and there is much laughter and camaraderie, both panel are aware, and they have become increasingly aware as the days moved on, that crafting the annexes that would form what would be the comprehensive agreement by yearend 2012 is no laughing matter and no walk in the park given the “devil” or “devils” in the details. GPH peace panel chair Marvic Leonen, however, would rather summon the “angels.” Leonen and MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal were optimistic about the outcome of this seven-day TWG negotiations in their opening remarks on Monday morning but by Friday noon, both acknowledged to MindaNews that although “substantial” progress has been made in all three TWGs, the work will not be finished this week. Leonen told MindaNews both sides will have to work on the “intensive data needed” and consult with their principals.Perhaps, a TWG member said, more “angels” need to be summoned. “I am having difficulties finding the angels in this document,” said another on Friday morning.
This round is scheduled to end on Sunday, November 18....

http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2012/11/16/gph-milf-talks-post-fab-signing-the-devils-and-angels-in-the-details/