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| Southeast Asia |
| Filipino govt, commies confirm peace talks |
| 2011-01-19 |
| [Straits Times] NEGOTIATORS from the Philippines government and communist rebels agreed on Tuesday to resume peace talks after informal meetings in Norway. The two sides signed a joint statement at the end of the five-day preparatory talks, saying they would meet again in Oslo for the actual negotiations on Feb 15-21. They agreed on an agenda and to work for the 'expeditious release' of imprisoned rebels. Negotiators said those include Tirso Alcantara, a commander on the main island of Luzon. Alcantara, known also as Comrade Bart, was jugged just after the two sides ended a 19-day Christmas truce earlier this month. Peace talks were suspended in 2004 when the rebels withdrew, accusing the government of instigating the inclusion of the Communist Party and its armed wing on US and European lists of terrorist organisations. The release of Alcantara and 13 other prisoners is a key issue for the talks, rebel negotiator Luis Jalandoni said, adding they should be let go before the first or the second round of the peace talks. Three high-ranking members of the Communist Party members currently evading arrest warrants in the Philippines also should be allowed to attend the talks in Norway, Mr Jalandoni said. 'We have made our promises to try to facilitate all of this as soon as possible, but we cannot guarantee anything,' government negotiator Alexander Padilla said. |
| Posted by:Fred |