US embassy cable - 05MANILA3843

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 003843 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MTS, INR/EAP, S/CT, USIP - SOLOMON 
NSC FOR GREEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2015 
TAGS: PTER, PREL, MOPS, PINS, KISL, MY, RP 
SUBJECT: GRP-MILF OPTIMISTIC ON TALKS, MALAYSIAN MONITORS, 
AND CONTINUED COOPERATION AGAINST ASG/JI 
 
REF: MANILA 3435 
 
Classified By: Political Officer Joseph Saus for 
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary.  The GRP and Moro Islamic Liberation Front 
(MILF) maintain their readiness to resume exploratory talks, 
although GRP officials indicate Malaysian facilitators remain 
concerned about distractions stemming from the still 
unresolved political situation in Manila.  Both parties 
appreciate the work of the Malaysian-led International 
Monitoring Team (IMT), which will be renewed for another year 
through October 2006.  GRP-MILF cooperation continues against 
Jemmah Islamiyah (JI) and Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) fugitives in 
west-central Maguindanao province.  There are indications 
that the fugitives remain on the run and distrustful of many 
locals, although some individuals in the area may be 
assisting them in return for money.  End Summary. 
 
GRP and MILF Optimistic, Malaysia Skittish 
------------------------------------------ 
 
2.  (C) MILF technical advisor Attorney Musib Buat told 
poloff on August 17 that the next round of exploratory talks 
will happen "soon." He noted that the last round in July was 
postponed on account of the delicate political situation in 
Manila.  On August 20, the MILF technical working group will 
meet with the MILF peace panel to discuss the remaining 
"governance aspect" of the negotiations, according to Buat. 
(Note.  The parties previously agreed to a final peace 
agreement framework centered on the concept of "ancestral 
domain," territory, governance, and allocation of natural 
resources.  End Note.) 
 
3.  (C) On August 18, GRP Peace Panel Secretariat Chairman, 
Ryan Sullivan, echoed Buat's optimism regarding the GRP-MILF 
peace process, but he blamed Malaysia for the delays, citing 
Kuala Lumpur's lingering reticence due to the delicate 
political situation in Manila over the past few months. 
Nonetheless, he stressed "both sides are expectant" and ready 
to restart the exploratory talks, pending the availability of 
the Malaysians. 
 
IMT Set For Renewal 
------------------- 
 
4.  (C) Buat was very supportive of the IMT's ceasefire 
monitoring role.  The MILF's website also showcased an 
article voicing strong support for the continued mandate of 
the IMT, and thanks to departing IMT Chief of Mission Major 
General Zulkifeli for his contribution to the ceasefire and 
the wider cause of peace in Mindanao.  The IMT has a yearly 
mandate and both the GRP and MILF peace panels petitioned the 
Malaysian government through the Philippine Department of 
Foreign Affairs to extend the IMT's tour of duty for another 
year starting in October 2005.  According to Sullivan, 
another batch of Malaysians will arrive by early September, 
and the next contingent will have more civilians to focus on 
economic development matters. 
 
Antiterror Operations Continue 
------------------------------ 
 
5.  (C) The Joint Monitoring Assistance Center (reftel) 
continues to coordinate effectively AFP and MILF information 
and movements.  Sullivan reported "renegade" MILF commander 
Wahid Tondok and the deputy commander of Ameril Umbra Kato 
were "suspended from the MILF" resulting from their disregard 
of the Central Committee directive to cease harboring or 
cooperating with the JI and ASG.  Several lower-level ASG 
members have been neutralized in the operation (now in its 
second month), Sullivan claimed.  He added ASG leader 
Khadaffy Janjalani's "brother-in-law" had been killed, but 
provided no further information.  Some MILF members, however, 
continue to assist ASG in return for money, Sullivan said, 
although he emphasized the ASG, because of the current 
operations against them, is particularly cautious where they 
travel and who they approach for help. 
 
6.  (C) Buat confirmed to poloff the ongoing heated debate in 
the Central Committee regarding recent MILF cooperation with 
the AFP, noting the MILF draws the line at joint operations 
because they do not want to draw excessive public attention 
to the cooperation out of concern that it may weaken their 
position in the peace negotiations.  Buat said several senior 
advisors argue law and order is the responsibility of the GRP 
and the police, not the MILF.  Poloff suggested communities 
also share the burden in self-policing and in helping 
authorities to clear out criminal or terrorist elements. 
 
Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm 
 
You can also access this site through the State Department's 
Classified SIPRNET website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/ 
JOHNSON