WikiLeaks post: MILF got 'deeper engagement' of US in peace talks

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) succeeded at getting the United States government involved in peace negotiations with Manila during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, according to supposed diplomatic cables of the US embassy posted on the online whistleblower site, WikiLeaks. MILF officials repeatedly sought a “public role" of the US in the peace talks and at one time, even pressed for a “parallel dialogue" during conversations with embassy officials. The WikiLeaks post said that during a February 24, 2010 meeting in Cotabato City with officials of the US embassy, the Asia Foundation and the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, MILF Peace Panel chairperson Mohagher Iqbal and member Michael Mastura “asked to engage with the US on a more formal basis." “Recalling the US colonial relationship with Muslims in the southern Philippines, Mastura said the MILF wanted a ‘parallel dialogue’ with the US to regularize engagement with us and increase US participation in the peace process, although he did not specify how such an arrangement might work," the supposed diplomatic cable said. MILF and Philippine government negotiators eventually opted not to formally invite the US to be part of the International Contact Group (ICG), but the Washington DC-based The Asia Foundation became an “observer" in the peace talks. President Benigno Aquino III is scheduled to go on official visits to the US and Japan, two countries that are in the ICG. Aquino met top MILF officials in Tokyo last August 4.
US dialogue with MILF Another US embassy cable posted by WikiLeaks showed the US embassy started its continuing dialogue with the MILF on November 15, 2005 in a meeting with the officials of the MILF Central Committee, including vice chairman for political affairs Ghazali Jafaar. The meeting was at the MILF Peace Negotiation Headquarters in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. “Present with Jafaar were MILF Central Committee members Jun Mantawil, Bobby Mulana Alonto, Muhammad Ameen, and Khalifa Nando," it was recalled in the message. The embassy officials expressed “support for the GRP-MILF peace process, under the sponsorship of the Government of Malaysia, and readiness to extend development assistance to the MILF in the event of a final peace agreement," according to the WikiLeaks posting. “(E)mbassy officials delivered a strong message to Jafaar that all elements of the MILF must permanently cut all contacts with terrorist organizations, including training activities," the posting also said. The second “informal, relaxed" meeting was on April 18, 2006 and only MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghazali Jafaar and MILF member Abu Dubaya were there with the Americans. “Jafaar was clearly interested in engaging in a regular ongoing dialogue with the Embassy." In this WikiLeaks post, then-US Ambassador Kristie Kenney was indicated as the one who sent the diplomatic cable. “We will proceed on an ad hoc basis, and perhaps next expand to include representatives from USAID and RSO, as long as we continue to see signs that the MILF is further distancing itself from terrorism and terrorist elements, and engaging in good faith negotiations with the GRP," Kenny purportedly said. “Our discussions can be useful in holding out the prospect for US assistance in the wake of a GRP-MILF agreement in support of peace and development, thereby isolating more radical elements within the MILF," the posting added. Then about three months later, on July 24, embassy officials again met with the MILF at a camp in Sultan Kudarat. “Jaafar hoped more direct US government engagement could help ensure government implementation of an eventual agreement," the August 6, 2006 WikiLeaks posting said. Reassuring letter from Washington Then in November 2009, the US State Department wrote to the MILF leadership to assure them of its government’s engagement in the peace process. “The MILF members were pleased to receive the written US affirmation of support for the peace process and implied, as they have in the past, that such written statements are extremely important to them — possibly for demonstrating to anxious and skeptical MILF field commanders that the US supports a peaceful settlement," according to the cable as it appears on WikiLeaks. “Seguis expressed appreciation for the USG informing him about US discussions with the MILF — which he accepted, as long as it did not give the appearance of "paying homage" to the MILF leadership," the Wikileaks posting said. Visiting East Asia and Pacific Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Scot Marciel and the deputy chief of mission met in a Manila hotel with MILF vice chairman for information Mohagher Iqbal and senior peace panel member Michael Mastura to discuss the Mindanao peace process and delivered a letter to MILF chairman Murad Ebrahim, reiterating US support for peace. Text of the undated letter from A/S Campbell to MILF chairman Murad Ebrahim:

Dear Chairman Murad, Thank you for your letter of November 21, 2008 to President Obama congratulating him on his election. We appreciate your thoughtful outreach and your desire to seek clarification about United States policy toward the conflict in Mindanao. Current United States policy on the Mindanao conflict adheres closely to the points expressed in then-Assistant Secretary James Kelly's letter of June 18, 2003. I would like to reassure you that: -- The United States Government is committed to the territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines. -- The United States recognizes that the Muslims of the southern Philippines have serious, legitimate grievances that must be addressed. -- As a concerned observer of the peace process, the United States firmly believes that a peaceful solution to the conflict in Mindanao is the only durable solution. We support and encourage the efforts of both parties to enforce their ceasefires and work toward a resumption of peace talks. -- The United States remains concerned that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has not completely severed its links with international terrorist organizations, and asks that the MILF dissolve those links immediately. -- The United States stands ready to support a bona fide peace process between the Republic of the Philippines and the MILF through political and financial means, including continued support for livelihood and development programs for the people of Mindanao. The United States Government, through our Embassy in Manila, will stay in close touch as this process moves forward. -- The United States appreciates the notable work that the Government of Malaysia has performed in connection with the peace process, and will continue to work with the Malaysians for a successful peace settlement. A confluence of wills to attain a lasting peace has led both sides to this important moment; ceasefires appear to be holding and the parties are laying a foundation for new peace talks. There is now, once again, an opportunity to craft a peace that can last for generations to come and that will benefit all the people of the Philippines. I strongly believe that the Muslim people of Mindanao can have a future that is both peaceful and prosperous. Sincerely yours, Kurt M. Campbell

US kept DFA informed A visiting US State Department official gave then GRP peace panel chairman Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis a copy of Campbell's letter to the MILF. Deputy Assistant Secretary Scot Marciel explained to Seguis that the letter to Murad “reaffirmed US support for the peace process, US commitment to Philippine territorial integrity, and the need for the MILF to dissociate itself from terrorists — points that closely resembled the content of a 2003 letter from then-EAP A/S Kelly," according to the WikiLeaks post. Marciel said the “US wanted to be supportive in the peace process to help unleash the potential of Mindanao, and would continue to be supportive wherever possible." On the possibility of the US becoming part of the International Contact Group (ICG), “Marciel said the US would be comfortable with whatever decision the parties made," the supposed diplomatic cable said. Seguis voiced appreciation for the letter and said that the parties would further discuss plans for the ICG at a November 16 meeting in Kuala Lumpur, to be followed by a discussion on the format of formal peace talks and the relaunching of the International Monitoring Team under new terms of reference. “While the Philippine government had wanted the US to be a member of the ICG, Seguis said, the MILF was opposed to US participation," the WikiLeaks posting said. Seguis expressed the perspective that “the participation in the ICG of The Asia Foundation — as a US-based organization — could help ensure that the US view would be represented." The Asia Foundation Listed as having attended the February 24, 2010 meeting at the residence of Mastura were US embassy political officer Michael Pignatello, The Asia Foundation country representative for the Philippines Steven Rood and from Bangkok, Thomas Parks, The Asia Foundation regional director for conflict and governance. Mike Marasigan, MILF peace panel secretariat member, and Abhoud Linga, director of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies were also in the meeting. American participation in the GPH-MILF negotiations eventually materialized in the persona of The Asia Foundation, which has been implementing a peace-building program in several strife-torn provinces of Mindanao. The Asia Foundation is a peace and development non-government organization whose key officers include former ranking State Department diplomats and some leading academics of top US universities and think tanks. The foundation is engaged in addressing the clan wars between rival families in Mindanao. — VS, GMA News