Japan Wants To Monitor Peace Process In Southern Philippines
Komfie Manalo - All Headline News Foreign Correspondent Cotabato City, Philippines (AHN) - Japan has indicated its willingness to become a part of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) that will oversee the on-going peace negotiations between the Philippine government and Muslim rebels in Mindanao. Japanese Minister Of Foreign Affairs For Southeast Asia Akio Isomata arrived in Cotabato City, Philippines to meet with key leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in their camp in Maguindanao to jumpstart Japan's inclusion in the IMT. In the meeting, Isomata told the MILF leaders in Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao that as head for Southeast Asia, he has to see first-hand the real situation in Mindanao. He said the main function of the IMT is to monitor relief, rehabilitation and development projects in conflict-affected areas. He was accompanied by Japanese Minister Takeo Takashi and Yoshi Ishikawa of the Japanese Embassy in Manila. MILF chairman Murad Ebrahim welcomed the Japanese delegates and praised the country calling them a good partner in searching for peace in the war-torn region. Murad said, "We thank Japan for its decision to join the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in its socio-economic aspect of monitoring." The three Japanese diplomats earlier met with Philippine National Police Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao, police director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mi |
