Wikileaks’ US Embassy cable confirms my 2006 exclusive story on the MILF

By Raïssa Robles

How true are the Wikileaks cables? As an investigative reporter, I wanted to know.

Here’s what I found.

On November 30, 2006, South China Morning Post published an exclusive story I had submitted the day before, based wholly on my interviews with officials of the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

It was entitled “Suit-and-tie diplomacy woos Muslim separatists.” It had to do with the curious visits of various foreign diplomats to the rebel stronghold in Maguindanao – diplomats who would otherwise avoid the area like the plague for fear of getting kidnapped or killed.

Among the diplomats who had visited the rebels was Paul Jones, the deputy chief of mission (DCM) of the United States Embassy in Manila, along with four other embassy officers (or Emboffs, as the Wikileaks cable shows they are called).

Jones is now the US Ambassador to Malaysia. You can read his biodata by clicking the US Embassy website in Malaysia here.

I was unable to get the side of the US Embassy, which has a “no comments” policy when it comes to such politically sensitive stuff. And so my story was pieced together from what MILF chief rebel negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu and MILF vice chair Ghazali Jaafar separately told me.

By the way, the Wikileaks cables definitely show it was President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, not President Benigno Aquino III, who allowed direct foreign meddling in the MILF peace process. I suggest that Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Rigoberto Tiglao examine the Wikileaks cables to get an accurate grasp of the situation. Maybe the Greek sun got into his head too much when he wrote Envoys queuing up to meet MILF head.

One cable even disclosed that Mrs Arroyo herself was considering meeting with MILF chief Murad Ebrahim.

Anyway, enough space wasted on Tiglao’s opinion.

A Wikileaks cable written by US Ambassador Kristie Kennney dated November 22, 2006 and marked “CONFIDENTIAL” talks about the same visit made by Jones (referred to as DCM) and two other embassy officers (referred to as “Pol/C” and “poloff”) which I had written about. This time, you get the perspective from the US side.

Former Deputy Chief of Mission and now US Ambassador to Malaysia Paul Jones

First, please read my story below. And then compare it with the contents of the Wikileaks cable.

Suit-and-tie diplomacy woos Muslim separatists

Raissa Robles in Manila, Updated on Nov 30, 2006

Foreign delegations and aid money flood into Mindanao

Muslim rebels of the southern Philippines have been receiving foreign visitors whose suits and ties provide a stark contrast to the scruffy foreign mujahedeen who used to turn up in search of inspiration and explosives training.

The presence of diplomats and bureaucrats from the world’s leading powers, including the European Union and the US, marks a big shift in efforts to revive a struggling peace process.

Both the government and rebels hope the involvement will help spur the peace process, which has been stalled since June.
On November 16, Jan de Kok, the European Commission’s envoy to Manila, went to the conflict and kidnap-prone province of Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao to meet peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal and key rebel leaders.

Accompanied by Gabriel Munuera Vinals, the head of the commission’s political, economic, trade and public affairs section, Mr de Kok told them the Europeans would not wait for a peace deal, but would release an initial Euro1 million (HK$10.23 million) immediately, rebel sources said.

Mr de Kok’s office later issued a statement quoting him as saying the money was being given in the hope that those ‘in the conflict areas … will be able to [get] their leaders to adhere to a ceasefire and to double their efforts to overcome, through negotiation, the last hurdles before a peace agreement can be concluded’.

Shortly after Mr Kok left the rebel camp, a five-member delegation headed by Paul Jones, deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Manila, arrived.

He hinted that a promise made by US President George W. Bush three years ago to release US$10 million might be realised once a peace deal was signed.

In September, an 11-member delegation led by 79-year-old Sadako Ogata, president of the Japan International Co-operation Agency, met rebel chief Ebrahim Murad. She said Japan would start helping and not wait for a peace accord, but what the visitors most wanted to know was how the peace deal was shaping up, rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu said.

Mr Kabalu was optimistic yesterday that the talks might resume soon because the government had amended its proposal.

Negotiations reached an impasse five months ago after the rebels rejected a government offer to add 613 Muslim villages to the present five-province Muslim autonomous region, but on the condition that residents there agreed to a referendum.

The rebels insisted that 1,000 villages had rejected a referendum, claiming the results could be manipulated by the government.

The government’s amended offer, submitted on November 10, has apparently pleased the group. ‘We say the proposal is worth pursuing,’ Mr Kabalu said.

He also indicated that the nature of the negotiations had changed as more foreign officials became directly involved.

He said his breakaway group had learned from the mistake made by the mainstream Moro National Liberation Front group of Nur Misuari when it signed a peace accord with Manila in 1996.

Manila had decided to involve only a few countries in the negotiations, notably Libya and Saudi Arabia, because it feared internationalising the conflict, which allowed Mr Misuari to be belligerent.

He rejected any aid while talks were going on because it appeared to be ‘a sort of a bribe’.

After the deal was signed, both Manila and Mr Misuari found it hard to raise foreign funds. This time, both the government and rebels have spread the welcome mat to the world

Now, here’s the Wikileaks leaked cable from the US Embassy about Jones’ visit:

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 004802
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP, EAP/MTS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2016
TAGS: PREL PINS MY RP
SUBJECT: ADVANCING THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT PEACE PROCESS WITH THE MILF
REF: MANILA 4656

Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

¶1. (C) Summary. In a wide-ranging 90 minute meeting with nine senior members of the MILF Central Committee at their headquarters, DCM described USG comprehensive support for the Mindanao peace process and commitment to assist former combatants in the event of a peace agreement. Central Committee members unequivically confirmed MILF’ commitment to the peace negotiations, despite “inaccurate rumors” of plans for violence, calling the government “our partner” in the peace process. They welcomed US assistance inside MILF territory, acknowledging the need for security. DCM underscored that all terrorists must be brought to justice, while acknowlegding the MILF role in evicting leading terrorists from Central Mindanao in 2005. The MILF said they were studying the government’s latest peace proposal, and requested US intercession against the government’s insistence on a plebiscite for determining additional territories for an expanded autonomous region, citing a lack confidence in government-run elections. They also sought US help with certain local leaders whom they believe are undermining the peace process. DCM recognized Malaysia’s role as facilitator for the peace negotiations, adding that the US wanted to be as supportive as possible. Somewhat surprisingly, the MILF briefed national media on the meeting, accurately describing our mutual support for the peace process. The President’s spokesperson welcomed increased USG involvement in the peace process, which he said President Arroyo requested of President Bush during their meeting at APEC. Clearly, our diplomacy in the peace process is gaining traction with both the MILF and the government, complementing our extensive development and defense engagement. End Summary.

¶2. (C) In a meeting at the Sultan Kudarat headquarters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on November 16, DCM, accompanied by Pol/C and poloff, described to nine senior members of the MILF Central Committee the USG’s full support for the overall peace process now underway throughout Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago as well as for the peace talks between the Philippine Government and the MILF under Malaysian mediation. He described the active USG assistance programs to enhance peace and prosperity for all the peoples of Mindanao (for a full description of our strategy to build peace in Mindanao, see reftel) and left a map detailing USAID’s robust developmental, health, education, energy, and other programs in the region. He urged that the MILF, as well as the Philippine Government, continue to pursue a peace accord that will lead to even greater zones of peace in which the USG and other foreign donors may help the peoples of Mindanao. He noted disturbing reports of the continued presence in MILF areas of individuals with links to Jemaal Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf Group, and urged the MILF leadership to ensure that all MILF elements sever ties with terrorists and turn them over to the Philippine authorities.

¶3. (C) Vice Chairman for Political Affairs Ghazali Jaafar welcomed U.S. assistance and reiterated the MILF desire for peace. He described the end result of peace negotiations as a Bangsamoro Judicial Entity that promoted peace, tolerance, and diversity through a competitive democratic process. He welcomed the constructive mission of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team, and suggested that the IMT might continue to play a helpful role after the signing of a peace accord. He also highlighted the useful work of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), and expressed a desire that
its counter-terrorism, counter-crime joint mission might expand to include the Sulu Archipelago. He acknowledge the importance of ensuring that no ASG or JI terrorists operate in MILF territory.

¶4. (C) Jaafar said that the Central Committee continued to study the latest Philippine proposal, but indicated that the real concern now was less about the number of villages and towns to include and more about the Philippine insistence on holding a plebiscite to approve any additional territories of an eventual Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. He said that the main problem was that Philippine elections were not free and fair, and the MILF had doubts about the fairness of such a plebiscite. He urged the USG to urge President Arroyo and the Philippine Government to consider other options, such as a joint Senate/House resolution or an Executive Agreement subject to Senate ratification in order to sidestep the need for a controversial and possibly biased plebiscite. He noted that the MILF usually instructed its personnel to boycott elections because they do not believe they are conducted fairly.

¶5. (C) MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal indicated that another key stumbling block on the territorial issue is that the MILF claimed sea as well as land territory, to which the Philippine Government had yet to agree, as well as the island of Palawan in the West Sulu Sea, based on historical claims and the 1976 Tripoli Agreement (which established the basis of the peace agreement with the MNLF).

¶6. (C) Jaafar insisted that the MILF did not anticipate a true breakdown of the peace talks and was not preparing for a return to fighting. DCM asked how the MILF was publicizing its continued support of the peace process and negotiations. Jaafar said that the MILF leadership regularly invited its commanders and other local leaders to MILF headquarters to hear this message and to reiterate the MILF commitment to the peace process.

¶7. (SBU) Joining Jaafar and Iqbal were: Jun Mantawil – Head of the MILF Peace Panel Secretariat; Muhammad Ameen – Chairman of the MILF Secretariat; Omar Pasigan – Head of the Darul Ifta; Khalifa Nando – Chairman of the Majlis Al-Shura; Muhammad Muntasir – Head of the Da’wah Council; Abu Haliya – Member of Finance Committee; and, (FNU) Salic – Member of Trade/Commerce Committee.

¶8. (C) Comment: This third Embassy meeting with MILF leadership clearly generated increased interest and expressions of a desire to work with us. Coupled with the President’s frequent comments supporting more active USG involvement, our diplomacy is gaining traction. We are confident that the peace process is alive and well, but note the conspicuous absence from our meeting of MILF Vice Chairman for Military Affairs Mimbantes, who is the Central Committee member actually in contact with local commanders. The government’s chief negotiator has offered to brief us on his latest peace proposal, and we will report shortly. We will continue to involve all USG agencies in our efforts to
translate our influence into a durable peace that excludes terrorists from Mindanao.

Visit Embassy Manila’s Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm

KENNEY

__________________________

By Raïssa Robles

Suit-and-tie diplomacy woos Muslim separatists

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