‘Substantial progress’ seen in peace talks

From Business World (Oct 13): ‘Substantial progress’ seen in peace talks

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Peace negotiators of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ended their talks yesterday with “substantial progress” on the two remaining annexes on power sharing and normalization.

In a joint statement, both sides said “they have proceeded in exhaustive, honest discussions in order to identify the best formulations for an agreement that would respond to the aspirations of both parties.”

“The remaining challenges and the time constraints demand that the panels remain focused on completing the annexes following a break for (Eid’l Adha). Both sides have a full understanding of their responsibility as they strive towards a sustainable and inclusive solution for the benefit of all people in the Bangsamoro,” the parties said.

In a separate statement, government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the two sides would want to extend the talks to achieve an agreement but was cut by the Malaysian facilitator in observance of the Eid’l Adha holiday on Monday and Tuesday. “Our Malaysian hosts are celebrating Eid’l Adha holiday and could no longer extend the talks to [Monday], unfortunately. But very good progress has been achieved in the power-sharing annex including on the possible structure of the new Bangsamoro political entity and the intergovernmental mechanism that can be instituted to ensure coordination and cooperation between the Central and Bangsamoro governments in the exercise of various powers,” she said.

Ms. Ferrer said the discussions centered on the structure of the future Bangsamoro region planned to be under a ministerial form of government. “The MILF submitted the features of the structure of its envisioned government which the two panels discussed. There is understanding now on the level of detail that would go into the Annex on Power Sharing but some disagreements still on specific features,” she said.

“Discussions are also ongoing on the extent of territorial jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro political entity over waters and on the protection of fishing rights of subsistence fishermen in the Sulu Sea and Moro Gulf,” she added.

Both sides were trying to finish negotiations on the annex on power sharing within last week’s talks. MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal admitted that the discussions are difficult.

Ms. Ferrer said the two parties’ Technical Working Group on Normalization “achieved working consensus on the mechanisms that will address the different security aspects of normalization, such as the private armed groups, and disposition of weapons and combatants, and land conflicts; the provision of socioeconomic programs; and reconciliation.”

“In all, it was a productive meeting but the discussions on the many items took time. Despite the exhausting daily overtime sessions in the last five days, the panels remained upbeat,” she said. Ms. Ferrer said the two sides have “agreed on a process that will facilitate the settlement of the unsettled issues and will meet again in due time.”

The power sharing and normalization are the last two among the four annexes that will complete the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro into a comprehensive agreement.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=‘Substantial-progress’-seen-in-peace-talks&id=77864