InfoAnda - Philippines close to landmark peace deal in rebel south |

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

South Sudan says 80,000 flee after north takes Abyei | | 28 May 2011
Despite U.S. Recession American Productivity Grew In 2009 | 21 January 2010
Mubarak meets army as Obama urges reform | 31 January 2011

NKorea's Kim attends Lunar New Year concert: state media | 27 January 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Philippines close to landmark peace deal in rebel south |

Edition: U.S. Africa Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom Home Business Business Home Economy Technology Media Small Business Legal Deals Earnings Social Pulse Business Video The Freeland File Aerospace & Defense Markets Markets Home U.S. Markets European Markets Asian Markets Global Market Data Indices M&A Stocks Bonds Currencies Commodities Futures Funds peHUB World World Home U.S. Brazil China Euro Zone Japan Mexico Russia India Insight World Video Reuters Investigates Decoder Politics Politics Home Election 2012 Campaign Polling Supreme Court Politics Video Tech Technology Home MediaFile Science Tech Video Tech Tonic Social Pulse Opinion Opinion Home Chrystia Freeland John Lloyd Felix Salmon Jack Shafer David Rohde Nader Mousavizadeh Lucy P. Marcus David Cay Johnston Bethany McLean Anatole Kaletsky Reihan Salam Edward Hadas Hugo Dixon Ian Bremmer Lawrence Summers Susan Glasser The Great Debate Steven Brill Jack & Suzy Welch Frederick Kempe Christopher Papagianis Mark Leonard Breakingviews Equities Credit Private Equity M&A Macro & Markets Politics Breakingviews Video Money Money Home Tax Break Lipper Awards 2012 Global Investing MuniLand Unstructured Finance Linda Stern Mark Miller John Wasik James Saft Analyst Research Alerts Watchlist Portfolio Stock Screener Fund Screener Personal Finance Video Money Clip Investing 201 Life Health Sports Arts Faithworld Business Traveler Entertainment Oddly Enough Lifestyle Video Pictures Pictures Home Reuters Photographers Full Focus Video Reuters TV Reuters News Article Comments (0) Full Focus Photos of the week Our best photos from the past week. Full Article Images of August Follow Reuters Facebook Twitter RSS YouTube Read Space shuttle Endeavour home in Los Angeles after final flight 21 Sep 2012 Apple iPhone 5 fever rages despite grumbling over maps | 21 Sep 2012 Libyan Islamist militia swept out of Benghazi bases 4:09am EDT Exclusive: Iranian hackers target Bank of America, JPMorgan, Citi 21 Sep 2012 Russia's Medvedev offers rare criticism of Putin 21 Sep 2012 Discussed 274 New video shows Romney saying Palestinians don’t want peace 121 Romney derides Obama supporters in hidden camera speech 92 Romney paid $1.9 million in taxes in 2011: campaign Sponsored Links Pictures Reuters Photojournalism Our day's top images, in-depth photo essays and offbeat slices of life. See the best of Reuters photography. See more | Photo caption iPhone 5 frenzy People around the world queue in lines for the release of Apple's anticipated iPhone 5. Slideshow Communist village Jinggangshan is home to China's Executive Leadership Academy. Slideshow Philippines close to landmark peace deal in rebel south Tweet Share this Email Print Related News Myanmar says will make 'all necessary compromises' for peace Fri, Sep 21 2012 Insight: In Aleppo, jets vs. rifles, as civilians despair Thu, Sep 6 2012 Colombian peace talks to begin in October in Norway Tue, Sep 4 2012 Colombian government seeking peace with FARC rebels Mon, Aug 27 2012 Exclusive: Colombia's ELN rebels offer peace talks, refuse ceasefire first Mon, Aug 27 2012 Analysis & Opinion Guestview – Prophet Mohammad endured personal insults without retaliating – grand mufti Related Topics World » By Manuel Mogato and Stuart Grudgings MANILA/KUALA LUMPUR | Sat Sep 22, 2012 3:58am EDT MANILA/KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - The Philippine government and Muslim rebels are closing in on a peace deal after nearly 15 years of violence-interrupted talks, a potential landmark success for President Benigno Aquino that could pave the way for more investment in the country's impoverished but resource-rich south. Negotiators from both sides told Reuters that the major obstacles to a framework deal being signed this year appear to have been surmounted after a period of intense diplomacy. The deal would formalise a ceasefire in Muslim-majority areas of Mindanao island and set in train a roadmap to create a new autonomous region in the mainly Catholic country before the end of Aquino's term in 2016. "What we are saying is that the whole thing will be completed this year," said Marvic Leonen, a law professor who is the government's chief negotiator, describing the deal as the "architecture" for the peace process. The deal to end the 40-year-old conflict, which has killed more than 120,000 people, could be signed as soon as the next round of talks in Malaysia, expected to take place in early October. Tough negotiations still lie ahead and, analysts say, other dangers lurk, such as the threat posed by powerful clans who may disrupt a deal, fearing a loss of political influence. "We are close to it, but there are still big elephants in the room, such as territory, internal security, and wealth-sharing arrangements," the chief negotiator with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels, Mohagher Iqbal, told Reuters. PRAGMATISM The framework deal would signal a major breakthrough in trust between the government and the MILF separatists, who have long viewed Manila's motives in the talks with suspicion. It comes as the Philippines defies its reputation as an economic laggard with strong growth and a resurgence in investor interest. In the latest sign of a policy shift toward Mindanao, the Aquino government has given the impoverished the state the biggest regional share of government infrastructure funds. For the MILF leadership, a peace deal could simply be a matter of pragmatism. After four decades of conflict, they are ageing and, analysts say, eager to see some fruit from the grinding years of peace negotiations. An outbreak of violence last month when a small rebel faction opposed to the deal attacked army camps underlined how the MILF is struggling to control a younger, more radical generation. The leadership may also be motivated by the prospect of royalties from huge untapped deposits of oil, gas and mineral resources in rebel areas, part of an estimated total of $312 billion in mineral wealth in Mindanao. France's Total has partnered with Malaysia's Mitra Energy Ltd. to explore oil and gas fields in the Sulu Sea off Mindanao. "If the peace agreement will be signed this year, then I think we will see some benefits already trickling down next year. That's how fast it is," said Vicente Lao, president of Mindanao Business Council. Ishak Mastura, former head of investments for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said a peace agreement would take more time to boost investment and trade in the conflict areas. He said the first phase would likely be an influx of development aid. "There's a lot of things to be done before we see these big companies coming in, such as legal environment, infrastructure, and security on the ground," Mastura said. NO PANACEA Despite the prospect of a peace deal with the MILF, Mindanao is likely to remain one of the most violent places in Asia, plagued by a long-running communist insurgency, heavily-armed clans, and radical Islamic splinter groups. The framework agreement will set up a 15-member Transition Commission, which has until 2015 to draft a law creating the new entity to replace the current autonomous region that has been in place since 1989 and which is widely seen as a failure. "It's not a Panacea," said Bryony Lau of the International Crisis Group in Jakarta. "But it will be really significant because it is the first substantive text since 2008." Peace talks with the 11,000-strong MILF started in July 1997, but broke down three years later when then president Joseph Estrada ordered troops to seize rebel bases after a rebel attack on a ferry that killed dozens. His successor Gloria Macapagal Arroyo re-opened talks in 2001, inviting Muslim-majority Malaysia to join. Peace appeared to be within reach in 2008, but the Supreme Court declared the deal unconstitutional in a decision that set off rebel attacks and a fierce military offensive that displaced 750,000 people. The turning point came in August 2011 when Aquino held secret talks with MILF leaders at a Tokyo hotel, apparently convincing them of his sincerity in reaching a deal to end the conflict. "The government has been determined all along to reach a deal that it could implement within Aquino's term, and that emphasis appears to have resonated with the MILF," said Lau. (Editing by Jeremy Laurence) World Related Quotes and News Company Price Related News Tweet this Link this Share this Digg this Email Reprints We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/ Comments (0) Be the first to comment on reuters.com. Add yours using the box above. Edition: U.S. Africa Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom Back to top Reuters.com Business Markets World Politics Technology Opinion Money Pictures Videos Site Index Legal Bankruptcy Law California Legal New York Legal Securities Law Support & Contact Support Corrections Connect with Reuters Twitter Facebook LinkedIn RSS Podcast Newsletters Mobile About Privacy Policy Terms of Use AdChoices Copyright Our Flagship financial information platform incorporating Reuters Insider An ultra-low latency infrastructure for electronic trading and data distribution A connected approach to governance, risk and compliance Our next generation legal research platform Our global tax workstation Thomsonreuters.com About Thomson Reuters Investor Relations Careers Contact Us Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Saturday, 22 September 2012
Iraq blocks Syria-bound North Korean plane, suspects weapons cargo |
Protesters storm main Islamist militia HQ in Libya's Benghazi |
Eight people arrested over Benghazi attack: official |
Russia's Medvedev offers rare criticism for Putin |
Syria's neighbors seek extension of U.N. war crimes inquiry |
Exclusive: Ukraine trade demand shocks global partners |
Portugal PM says will listen to public anger on taxes |
Facebook tightens privacy to satisfy Irish regulator |
Iranian hackers target Bank of America, JPMorgan, Citi |
Amazon to launch Kindle in Japan next month: Nikkei |
ACI Worldwide to buy back warrants from IBM |
Yoko Ono joins calls for Pussy Riot's prison release |
Helen Mirren to play Queen Elizabeth again
Led Zeppelin dodges reunion issue at film promotion |
Crew diver drowns on set of new Lone Ranger movie |
France's Cite du Cinema aims to lure Hollywood |
Libyan Islamist militia swept out of Benghazi bases |
Philippines close to landmark peace deal in rebel south |
Myanmar says not worried Suu Kyi upstaging president on U.S. visit |
Suspect in Mekong massacre pleads guilty in Chinese court |
Portugal government gives up on levy, to mull alternatives |
Twitter CEO promises interactive tweets, defends curbs |
Japan government mulls Renesas rescue with Toyota, others: sources |
Oracle boosts compensation of billionaire CEO Ellison |
Apple iPhone 5 fever rages despite grumbling over maps |
Seagate cuts current-quarter revenue estimate on weak demand |
AT&T to accept political donations by text, set lower fees |
U.S. seeks Internet data flow safeguards in Asia-Pacific trade pact |
Amanda Bynes charged with driving on suspended license |
Rebel Free Syrian Army leaders move from Turkey to Syria |
China envoy warns Canada against politicizing Nexen deal |
Crews extinguish fire at Venezuela's El Palito refinery |
Congo could allow oil exploitation in parks: minister |
U.S. bans 20 Iran officials from travel to U.N. assembly: report |
Afghanistan bans Pakistani papers over propaganda |
Four arrested over wave of kidnappings in Mozambique |
Cameroon sentence ex-minister to 25-year jail term |
Yemen minister says Saleh trying to spoil transition |
Apple seeks U.S. Samsung sales ban, $707 million more in damages |
Analysis: IPhone 5 defines Apple success, Tim Cook-style |
Wireless carriers hope to temper iPhone 5 margin pain |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01