MILF lauds Japan's support to achieving peace in Mindanao

From the MILF Website (Jan 11): MILF lauds Japan's support to achieving peace in Mindanao

Mohagher Iqbal, Chief Negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the peace negotiation with the Government of the Philippines (GPH), cited the commitment of support of Japan to achieving peace in Mindanao. Iqbal, who is also a senior official of the MILF Central Committee, made the citation in response to the statements of His Excellency Minister Fumio Kishida of the Foreign Affairs of Japan during his visit to the Philippines yesterday. "In behalf of the Central Committee of the MILF headed by Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, I take this opportunity to convey the gratitude and appreciation of the MILF and the Bangsamoro to the unfaltering commitment of Japan and its people to support the GPH - MILF Peace Process," Iqbal said. "The expression of commitment of the Government of Japan is very meaningful for the ongoing peace process between the government and MILF being facilitated by Malaysia, particularly in relation to the historic GPH - MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) signed last October 15, 2012 in Malacanang Palace"he stressed. Iqbal also expressed positive notes on the recognition of Japan that peace in Mindanao is indispensable for the stability and prosperity of Southeast Asia.
The MILF Chief Negotiator together with peace panel member Prof Mohagher Iqbal just finished a dialogue with the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines when he made the statements yesterday.

Minister Kishida visit in the Philippines was his first visit abroad since his appointment on December 26, 2012 by His Excellency Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In his statement, Kishida said "Japan would like to continue to lend its full support toachieving peace in Mindanao." "I heartily welcome and signing of the Framework Agreement last Octobe 2012, andpay my respects to all the parties concerned.

Recalling that it was in 2006 following election of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2006and with His Excellency Taro Aso in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Japan startedits active participation and strong support to the GPH - MILF Peace Process. Presently, Japan is a member of the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT),International Contact Group (ICG) and spearheads the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives forReconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) for the GPH - MILF Peace Process.

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3034:milf-lauds-japans-support-to-achieving-peace-in-mindanao&catid=31:general&Itemid=41