Why is US rushing peace talks?

Why is US rushing peace talks?
REY O. ARCILLA

‘President Obama, what sort of deal have your people struck with the MILF?’


WHEN a foreign power tries to inveigle another to promote and serve its own interest, that’s par for the course in international relations. It is to be expected.

But when the leaders of the intended "victim" virtually assist the foreign power to get what it wants, that is abominable and downright contemptible. It borders on the treasonous.

Shortly before US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came over last week, the Arroyo regime and US Ambassador Kristie Kenney assured one and all that the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) was not to be in the agenda of the ensuing talks.

So what happened? The regime takes out a centerfold ad in the Philippine Star’s World section on the day Clinton arrived extolling the "virtues" and supposed advantages for the Philippines of the VFA.

Also, the DFA, headed by that "international embarrassment" of a foreign secretary, Alberto Romulo, issued a statement, to wit:

"The Philippine government believes that the Philippines-United States Visiting Forces Agreement is indispensable to the nation’s security."

Then, in the course of her visit, Clinton said: "The VFA is an important expression of our partnership. It is based on mutual respect and mutual interest." Yeah, right!

On the other hand, Romulo said during the joint press briefing with Clinton that US forces are in the country to assist, advise and train their Philippine counterparts. (Hard to believe from someone whose judgment, among his other traits, is suspect. For instance, he signed that agreement with Kenney transferring Cpl. Daniel Smith to American custody which was later rejected by the Supreme Court, remember?)

And the VFA was not in Clinton’s agenda?

Didn’t the Senate pass a resolution urging the Arroyo regime to abrogate or re-negotiate the VFA because of provisions clearly onerous to us? And in response, Arroyo directed the DFA to review the Agreement and thereafter make its recommendations?

Do the statements of Romulo and his department reflect the result of a review?

I’m sure the Senate and the people would like to know.
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Clinton said the US is supportive of the efforts to re-start the peace talks with the MILF rebels. Good.

What I have said in past columns bears repeating. The regime should accept the US offer to help but only in terms of financing our efforts towards the economic development of Mindanao. The figure of $1 billion annually over the next five years would be a good start. Furthermore, any agreement to be concluded with the MILF must not be at the expense of any stakeholder and definitely not violative of the Constitution.

The quid pro quo which I am sure the US will demand can be discussed within a different context and framework. The possible re-negotiation of the VFA immediately comes to mind.
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US Ambassador Kenney is the most active American envoy ever to this country. No doubt about that. In all the time she has been here, she has spared no effort to give the impression that her heart is with the Filipinos.

It’s all a put on!

Look at the front page photo of hers alongside Secretary Clinton in last Saturday’s (November 14) issue of the Inquirer – her heart is in the wrong place. It is just below her left shoulder where her right hand was while listening to the American national anthem. In contrast, look at where Clinton’s right hand was – over where the heart should be.

No wonder. Kenney and her government under George W. Bush, in connivance with the Arroyo regime, nearly had our Republic dismembered through the insidious MOA on the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. Fortunately, the Supreme Court stopped its signing in the nick of time and subsequently declared it unconstitutional.
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President Obama, when are you going to have Kenney replaced? After the peace talks with the MILF rebels are concluded? Is that why Secretary Clinton was rushing us to conclude them before Ms. Arroyo’s term ends?

Is that why Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel met with MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal in Makati last November 6? (I am told Romulo and a deputy were informed of that meeting in advance and in abdication of their primary duty, again allowed it to take place.)

Is that why your people here have not even bothered to confirm or deny that you wrote a letter to MILF chief Ebrahim Murad? Did you, Mr. President?

Is that why Fr. Michael Sinnott was released the day before Clinton arrived?

What sort of deal have your people struck with the MILF and have they informed our peace panel about it?

What kind of peace settlement do your people have in mind? The same as the MOA on the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity which Kenney shepherded? Please tell your people to give it up, Mr. President. It will not fly with the Filipino people.

It would be better for you to level with us, Mr. President. We are your friends and we will remain so as long as you do not keep on taking advantage of our weakness (and weak leaders like the ones you are dealing with now) and insisting on what you want. Please tell your people to stop taking us for fools. Any agreement must be mutually beneficial and advantageous. Otherwise, it is bound to unravel sooner or later. Witness the VFA, Mr. President.
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Presidential aspirant Manny Villar challenged rival Noynoy Aquino to shed light on the accusation that Aquino lobbied for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) to pass the Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac.

Aquino should accept the challenge on condition that Villar also come clean on the allegation that he lobbied (Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile confirmed it) for the double insertion in the national budget for the C5 road extension in Parañaque and Las Piñas.

As the saying goes, what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
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Poor Gilberto Teodoro, the ruling coalition’s presumptive standard bearer. He had to scrape the bottom of the barrel, so to speak, for a running mate.

Teodoro’s candidacy was doomed from the very start. He could attract a lot more supporters if he were not identified with Arroyo. Picking a showbiz personality as running mate won’t help him.
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Former Taiwan president (2000-2008) Chen Shui-bian may have stashed away $41 million in Palau, according to Agence France Presse. Taiwanese prosecutors are now investigating the allegation.

Chen had been earlier convicted of graft and is now facing life imprisonment.

In the US, former congressman William Jefferson of Louisiana was sentenced to 13 years in prison for accepting bribes.

The prosecutor in the case said:

"In a stunning betrayal of the public’s trust, former congressman Jefferson repeatedly used his public office for private gain. The lengthy prison sentence imposed on Mr. Jefferson today (November 13) is a stark reminder to all public officials that the consequences of accepting bribes can and will be severe."

Both cases should serve as a stark reminder to our public officials.
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Warm congratulations to Manny Pacquiao for his record-setting victory over Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.
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There are 225 days left before the end on 30 June 2010 of the stolen presidency of Ms. Arroyo, courtesy of "Garci", et al.
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Today is the 196th day of the third year of Jonas Burgos’ disappearance.
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Email: roacrosshairs@yahoo.com