PHILIPPINE PEACE PROCESS

The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have invited Japan, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia to form part of the International Contact Group (ICG) that will guarantee all agreements in the peace process of the two negotiating parties. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said of the four states that have been officially invited to join the ICG, only the UK, Japan and Turkey have showed positive signs that they are interested. Saudi Arabia, the MILF said, has yet to respond to the official invitation sent through its ambassador in Manila. Last month, the Philippine government and the MILF said they are ready to hold formal peace negotiations in Malaysia anytime following the signing of three confidence-building agreements crucial to the resumption of talks.