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The Jakarta Post, July 19, 2010
If asked, RI must play a role in Moro peace talks
The new Philippines President, Benigno Aquino III, hinted that he may ask Indonesia to become a third-party facilitator in the peace process between his government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). This statement clearly reflected his commitment to seeking a fresh attempt at finding a peaceful solution to the ongoing problem in the southern Philippines.
If the Philippines makes this request formally, Indonesia needs to respond in a positive manner.
Indonesia has had past experience in helping the country find solutions to conflicts in the southern Philippines. It played a successful role as a third-party facilitator between Manila and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the early 1990s. Until today, Indonesia has also actively taken part in helping implement the 1996 Peace Agreement under the auspices of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
There are at least three important reasons why Indonesia should respond positively to such a request.
First, Indonesia and the Philippines can demonstrate to other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that countries can work together to find solutions to internal problems.
Moreover, both countries can do this to provide a concrete example of how the ASEAN Political and Security Community (APSC) can be relevant to member states. Its willingness to involve a third party, and Indonesia? role as a facilitator in finding a solution to the Moro conflict, would demonstrate that the ?SEAN spirit?can still work.
Second, protracted conflicts in the southern Philippines have hindered closer economic interaction and cooperation between Mindanao and Sulawesi. Trade between these two regions would certainly improve if the security situation does not serve as an obstacle. Therefore, peace in the southern Philippines would present mutually beneficial new economic and trade opportunities between Indonesia and the Philippines.
Third, Indonesia? role in facilitating peace talks in Mindanao would certainly strengthen close cooperation between the Philippines and Indonesia. Indeed, Indonesia and the Philippines should take their bilateral relations to a higher plane, and working together to bring peace to Mindanao would certainly provide an excellent platform for this purpose.
However, for Indonesia to be able to play this role effectively, it needs to take two important issues into
account.
First, it needs to have a clear understanding about such a role. Malaysia is currently also supporting peace talks between Manila and the MILF. It is of course up to Manila whether it wants Malaysia to continue playing this role, or whether it will ask Indonesia to fill this position. However, Indonesia would be much more comfortable if the Philippines cleared this with Malaysia first.
Second, before embarking on such a noble role, Indonesia should also consider the responsibility that comes with it. For one, it has to have a firm commitment and determination to play a role as an impartial third-party facilitator. We were able to demonstrate this quality of our involvement in the peace talks in the early 1990s, and will be able to do the same now. Equally important is our willingness to commit necessary resources and energy to ensure that our role will be a serious one and for the long term.
Indonesia certainly wants and can play a positive role in finding a peaceful solution to the Moro problem.
We have both the experience and capacity to do so. However, in the end it is entirely up to the Philippines as to whether Indonesia? involvement is needed.
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