US embassy cable - 05MANILA2846

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002846 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/PMBS, INR/EAP, USIP-SOLOMON 
NSC FOR GREEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2015 
TAGS: PINS, PTER, PREL, MY, RP 
SUBJECT: CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM CONTINUES FOLLOWING LATEST 
GRP-MILF INFORMAL TALKS 
 
REF: A. MANILA 1857 
 
     B. MANILA 2559 
     C. MANILA 2785 
     D. MANILA 1748 
     E. MANILA 2777 
 
Classified By: Political Officer Joseph Saus 
for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (SBU)  A GRP-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Joint 
Statement heralded as a success the eighth round of 
"exploratory talks" on June 21 between their respective peace 
panels under Malaysian facilitation in Kuala Lumpur (ref A). 
The talks were "marked with a high level of mutual trust and 
confidence," according to the document.  The GRP's Office of 
the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) 
provided poloff the statement (full text below) in which 
Malaysia joined the GRP in congratulating the MILF on its 
successful May 30 Public Consultation (ref B), and recognized 
the resulting "clear mandate from the Bangsamoro People" for 
the MILF to negotiate for a lasting political solution.  The 
parties extended the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group's Interim 
Guidelines for a year (ref C). 
 
2.  (SBU) Comment.  This round did not provide any 
breakthroughs, although the sense of optimism remains strong 
among both parties instead of just with the always-rosy 
OPAPP.  According to the statement, all sides are focusing on 
the "Governance Aspect of Ancestral Domain" (ref D) and 
intend to tackle this subject even more deeply in July. 
Separately, contacts with the MILF Peace Panel's Technical 
Working Group noted progress in discussing the "Sudan 
formula" of political autonomy (e.g., incorporating among 
other things power and wealth sharing as components of a 
political settlement).  Press reports indicate several models 
are under consideration, according to OPAPP head Secretary 
Teresita Deles. 
 
3.  (C) Comment continued.  One concern is that leadership 
crises in the past have forced the peace process to the back 
burner.  Although there are no current indications that the 
GRP is unfocused regarding the peace process, there is a 
possibility the shaky political situation in Manila (ref E) 
could deflect the Administration's attention away from the 
negotiations.  The sense of optimism spawned from the May 30 
MILF consultatation still exists, but the meticulous and 
contentious nature of ancestral domain will require more 
attention than the GRP may be able to spare in the near term. 
 End Comment. 
 
4.  (U) Begin Full Text of GRP-MILF Joint Statement. 
 
IN THE NAME OF GOD 
THE MOST BENEFICENT, THE MOST MERCIFUL 
 
JOINT STATEMENT 
 
The 8th Round of Exploratory Talks between the Government of 
the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic 
Liberation Front (MILF) through the facilitation of the 
Government of Malaysia held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 
20-21, 2005 was marked with a high level of mutual trust and 
confidence. 
 
The Parties, while expressing satisfaction with the positive 
achievements of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), agreed 
to the extension of the Interim Guidelines of the AHJAG for a 
period of one (1) year from June 21, 2005, subject to further 
discussions on proposed amendments to its guidelines. 
 
The Malaysian Secretariat joined hands with the GRP Panel in 
congratulating the successful holding of the MILF General 
Consultation at Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, a 
tribute to the leadership of the MILF and a reflection of its 
clear mandate from the Bangsamoro People to negotiate with 
the Philippine Government toward a peaceful, just, lasting 
and comprehensive political solution to the Bangsamoro 
problem. 
 
Both Parties agreed to forge clear parameters and principles 
to be pursued on the strand on Governance of the Ancestral 
Domain aspect of the negotiations.  In this context, the 
Parties agreed to resume talks in July 2005. 
 
Finally, both Parties express their gratitude to the 
Malaysian Government for the continuing support to ensure the 
success of the GRP-MILF Peace Process. 
 
Done on the 21st of June 2005 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 
 
For the GRP 
 
(signed) 
 
SEC. SILVESTRE C. AFABLE, JR. 
Chairman, GRP Peace Panel 
 
For the MILF 
 
(signed) 
 
MOHAGHER M. IQBAL 
Chairman, MILF Peace Panel 
 
End Full Text. 
BELLARD