Blas Ople said the U.S. Institute for Peace (USIP) will play specific role in the peace process

By Kazi Mahmood, IOL Southeast Asia Correspondent

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (IslamOnline.net) – The U.S. is not only seeking a seat for President George Bush in the signing ceremony of a peace accord between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Manila, but a major role in the development of the Mindanao region and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), a Kuala Lumpur-based think tank said Thursday, July 31.

The U.S. had promised assistance and support for foreign investments in the province, with an eye on securing contracts and possibly controlling future oil and gas exploration and other resources in Mindanao, including uranium.

The Congress has already allocated $30 million for development programs in the conflict-stricken Mindanao, and Washington is also supporting a multimillion dollar program to assist refugees and develop the region.

The U.S., which is viewed by some as an anti-Islamic country attacking Muslims all over the world, will do all it can to show that it also supports ‘genuine’ peace in Mindanao, where Muslims have been battling for independence for centuries, said the Alternateways organization.

An open U.S. support in the peace process will show that the U.S. is not anti-Islam and is ready to support Muslims, who want peaceful solutions to their problems, Ali Cordoba, a member of the think tank, told IslamOnline.net.

However, Muslims do not really want the U.S. to invade their hard-earned freedom once a durable peace treaty is signed in Mindanao, the organization added, citing numerous calls by Non-government Organizations (NGO) and human rights activists to allow more Muslim aid agencies and Islamic countries to be involved in the Muslim affairs in the province.

Cordoba added that the MILF did well to allow the U.S. to have a say in the peace process but should be careful in threading on the same grounds with the world sole superpower.

The U.S. has been given the green light by the Malaysian authorities to participate as observers in the peace talks between Manila and the MILF on August 4.

The Malaysian government is set to work with the Bush administration, reported the Manila Times on Friday, August 1.

“The Malaysian government is sorting out what the U.S. can do with respect to the peace process. We are expecting a delegation from the U.S. Institute for Peace (USIP) so we can take up their specific role in the process,” Filipino Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople said.

He, as reported by Manila Times, added that two former U.S. diplomats, Richard Solomon and Frank Weisner, will represent the USIP.

Cordoba noted the two were Americans of Jewish origin getting involved in a Muslim affair.

Mindanao is a majority Muslim region, with the Bangsamoro in dominance.

Independence drive in the southern region of the Philippines began almost 400 years ago with the invasion of the area by Spanish armada’s and conquistadors.

Muslims have since fought for their territorial independence and the integrity of the land that once flourished with Arab, Malay and Indian traders.

The U.S. became involved in Mindanao and Sulu provinces after it took control of the Philippines in the 19^th century, suppressing Islamic separatists and imposing its rule on the Muslims.