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MINDANAO,
SOUTH PHILIPPINES (December 20, 2001) - The Central
Committee leadership of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
expressed thanks and gratitude to the world community, to
the Organization of Islamic Conference, especially the OIC
Ministerial Committee of the Eight and to the United Nations
High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) for taking the side of
truth and justice in the wake of the impending political
asylum of Chairman Nur Misuari.
Lt.
Gen. Jimmy Labawan, the Vice Chairman of the MNLF Central
Committee, said that, this early, they have already
expressed their sincerest appreciation and thanks to
organizations, institutions and world leaders for their
humanitarian and political concern to the cause of
self-determination of of the Bangsamoro people and its
leader, Chairman Misuari. "We thank most sincerely the
United States of America and the UNHCR for the positive and
prompt action taken relative to the asylum issue of our
Chairman, Brother Nur, who is a UNESCO Peace Awardee,"
said Labawan.
"The
OIC Committee of the Eight and its Secretary General Dr.
Belkeziz, another world figure whose helping hand in the
cause of universal peace and stability we have sought,
deserve our eternal gratitude," Labawan emphasized,
adding that Arab diplomats and emissaries, together with
UNHCR people have already get in touched, meeting face to
face with Misuari.
He
also revealed that right now Misuari is already in the
Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur conferring with his
counsel, the New York-based international human rights
lawyer Atty. Elly Velez Pamatong.
It
is recalled that Misuari, on his usual route to the Middle
East to report to the 57 member-nations OIC the volatile
situation in his Homeland Bangsamoro, was detained in Sabah,
Malaysia this last week of November for illegal entry.
His
detention stirred a storm in the Philippines. The Arroyo
government wanted him refouled to Manila, but the OIC
Ministerial Committee of the Eight meeting in the sideline
of the recent 10th Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM)
in Doha, Qatar has reportedly formed a consensus that the
protection to life, dignity, liberty and honor of Dr. Datuk
Seri Panglima Darja Kinabalu Nur Misuari must be upheld by
the Pan-Islamic body, he being the sole and legitimate
representative of the Bangsamoro people in the OIC.
"We
expect anytime now, this month of December, Chairman Nur
will personally report to the OIC Secretary General the
bloody violations by the Philippine government of the 1996
Peace Agreement," added Labawan.
From
the Middle East where the OIC is headquartered, Misuari is
also expected by his people to defend the case of the
Bangsamoro people's right to self-determination in the UN
Committee of 24 on Decolonization. "Yes, our MNLF
Foreign Relations Committee have already filed our case in
the halls of the 189-member United Nations," revealed
Labawan, adding that sooner than expected the Central
Committee leadership of the MNLF to be led by Chairman
Misuari will attend the hearing on decolonization.
Reference:
GENERAL
SECRETARIAT
Moro National
Liberation Front
Mindanao, South
Philippines
www.mnlf.net
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