MANILA, June 26 Kyodo The rule sa...

MANILA, June 26 Kyodo

The rule said Thursday it seeks to begin again formal peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation head (MILF), the country's main Muslim separatist dispose within five days.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople said the Cabinet Oversight Committee in succession Internal Security, a special cluster of advisers to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, agreed earlier in the day to wager July 1 as the target date for the resumption of talks in Malaysia for a final peace agreement between the rule and the MILF.

Informal talks were held in Kuala Lumpur between representatives of one as well as the other sides more than a week ago.

The MILF claimed a substantial agreement was reached there covering a clearing of criminal charges against its leaders, withdrawal of direction troops in rebel strongholds and recognition of MILF camps that may pave the way for a recent round of formal talks. The rule denied any such agreement.

Rebel officials said no other than concrete steps along such an agreement would merit talks, with an MILF spokesman stating that July 1 is too betimes and too optimistic especially since there has not unruffled been a cease-fire.

Ople said the Armed Forces of the Philippines will adopt a defensive stance as before long as there is a stable cease-fire. The military had been in an active defense way since attacks on civilian communities between February and May blamed in succession the rebels.

The United States, he said, will play a non-negotiator part as Malaysia will continue to head the peace-brokering effort. Instead, the U is offering political, diplomatic and financial support to the peace initiative.

The MILF, estimated to be 12000-strong has been waging a three-decade-old separatist war, mainly on the southern main island of Mindanao.

Intermittent efforts on the two sides to negotiate a final peace agreement became bogg down earlier this year owed to fierce clashes.

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