From: Barry Stoller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Peoples War] US list affects Arroyo's negotiations with NPA AFP. 9 December 2001. Communist guerrillas declare ceasefire with Philippine government. MANILA -- Communist guerrillas on Sunday declared a unilateral month-long Christmas ceasefire with the Philippine government. The New People's Army (NPA) is to "cease and desist from carrying out offensive operations against the armed units and personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and paramilitary forces," the NPA's political wing said in a statement. The ceasefire is to begin on December 15 and end on January 15, the National Democratic Front (NDF) said. Chief government negotiator Silvestre Bello said the rebels first proposed the ceasefire last week and that President Gloria Arroyo was to issue her response soon. "We are awaiting the decision of the president," Bello said over ABS-CBN television. Arroyo last on Friday said government was "open" to declaring a ceasefire, noting that it showed that the rebels were still interested in pursuing talks with Manila. However, Bello said the inclusion of the NPA on a new "terrorist exclusion list" drawn up by the US State Department could affect the peace negotiations. "This new development raises concerns not only on the part of the (peace negotiating) panel but also on the part of government," Bello said. "President Arroyo is aware of this and I can only assume that she would have to consult with her military and security advisers on her decision of steps to be taken by the government." Arroyo was among the first leaders to have backed the US-led global war on terrorists. In exchange, the US government has pledged additional military aid to Manila in its war against secessionist groups, including Muslim gunmen holding hostage an American couple in the south. House of Representatives member Satur Ocampo urged Manila to "make a categorical policy statement" on the NPA's inclusion in the list, noting that there is now a conflict of policy since Arroyo has vowed not to negotiate with terrorist groups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barry Stoller http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ProletarianNews _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
