Australia fears Mindanao spillover

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Australia fears Mindanao spillover
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MANILA - Australia is wary ongoing hostilities in Mindanao will spread to other countries in the Southeast Asian region, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith said Thursday.

At the press conference after the 2nd Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting, Smith said that, while he sees an improved security situation in Mindanao in the next five years, he said it is important for the Philippines and the region that the southern island’s development be on track.

Otherwise, it may cause a "wider regional problem…attracting third parties outside the Philippines," he said, referring to the Indonesian terrorist organization Jemaah Islamiyah.

He also admitted that Australia was "disappointed" that the peace process in the south was "disturbed" when the Supreme Court stopped on August 5 the signing of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

"But we would be much more concerned if we thought for one moment that the government of the Philippines did not show an absolute determination to effect a long-term, enduring peace," he said.

Smith said Australia believes that acts of terrorism may be prevented by addressing their root causes, poverty and ignorance.

That is why, he said, half of Australia's $110 million Australian in development aid to the Philippines for 2008-2009 goes to Mindanao.

Aside from this, Australia is also giving A$100 million over five years to roads in Mindanao and the Visayas, as well as A$13 million for a Muslim and indigenous peoples' education facility. It is also setting aside A$5 million for combating malaria and A$1.8 million to reduce maternal and child mortality.

He said his government recognizes the determination of the Philippine government to forge peace in Mindanao, and supports its peace efforts, including its requirement to have the three "recalcitrant" rebel commanders surrendered before returning to the negotiating table.

"We absolutely share and support the Philippine government's commitment and determination to effect a long-term, enduring, sustainable peace in the south, but we do not propose to second-guess how the Philippine government plans to get there," he said.

Smith said his government trusts that the Philippines would be able to manage its internal affairs. He said Australia accepts that part of this peace effort is to be "involved in conversations with Moro groups."

Smith said that in his "frank" discussions with his counterpart, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Hermogenes Esperon, he "saw and heard nothing to make [him] rethink about Australia being the Philippines' enduring partner in development assistance, interfaith dialogue, and education."

The Australian official also said that Canberra is hoping the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement will be ratified soon, adding that the defense ties between the two countries are an important element of Australia's 62-year-old bilateral partnership with the Philippines.

Each year, some 130 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines train in Australia.

"Australia commends the efforts of the Philippine security forces in combating regional terrorism. Australia will continue to help where we can. The struggle against terrorism is as difficult as it is vital," he added.

In a joint ministerial statement released after the press briefing, both parties reaffirmed their determination to broaden bilateral and regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism, and welcomed the creation of the Anti-Terrorism Council to wage war against local terrorist groups.

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