Cablegate: Another Postponement of Philippine-Mnlf-Oic

VZCZCXRO8890
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #2342 1920703
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 110703Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7358
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH IMMEDIATE 0342
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS MANILA 002342

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS RP
SUBJECT: ANOTHER POSTPONEMENT OF PHILIPPINE-MNLF-OIC
TRIPARTITE CONFERENCE

REF: MANILA 1011

1. (SBU) Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Winlove Dumayas
on July 6 approved "with conditions" Moro National Liberation
Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari's request for a temporary
leave of detention to attend a long-awaited tripartite
conference among the MNLF, Philippine government, and the
Organization of Islamic Conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
July 17-19. Judge Dumayas nonetheless mandated that a
Philippine National Police/Special Action Force security
detail accompany Misuari, and requested a "sovereign
guarantee" from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia assuring
compliance with the court order.

2. (SBU) However, according to MNLF Islamic Command Council
Chairman Habib Mujahab Hashim, a postponement of the
Tripartite Conference was now likely, at least until
September, as the Saudi government determined how to respond
to the question of a guarantee. There is also some
speculation that the Philippine government preferred to move
the venue to Manila. This is the sixth or seventh
postponement of this conference in recent years.

3. (SBU) Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs for Special
Concerns Rafael Seguis told the media on July 10 that the
delay stemmed from a scheduling conflict involving Indonesian
Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda.

4. (SBU) Nur Misuari wrote to the Ambassador on July 1
requesting to send a seven-person delegation to "touch base
with your good office as it is our mutual thrust to look into
the well-being of the Bangsamoro People" in advance of the
tripartite conference. His staff subsequently clarified that
the purpose was to discuss the Mindanao peace process
generally, including the U.S. role in Mindanao more
specifically. Embassy is now attempting to set up this
meeting for DCM and political officers.

Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm

You can also access this site through the State Department's
Classified SIPRNET website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/

KENNEY

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