Posted on 02/20/2008 2:42:49 PM PST by forkinsocket
MANILA (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador to the Philippines met the leader of the country's largest Muslim rebel group on Tuesday in an effort to defuse tensions over U.S. soldiers entering Muslim areas in the south.
Earlier this week, thousands of people protested against the U.S. military's plans to hold humanitarian missions in areas controlled by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as part of annual training exercises with Philippine troops.
"The U.S. ambassador assured us the U.S. soldiers would not be involved in any combat activities," Mohaqher Iqbal, head of the MILF peace panel with the government, told Reuters.
Kristie Kenney was the first U.S. ambassador to enter MILF territory when she met al haj Ibrahim Murad for about an hour in Camp Darapanan, outside Cotabato City on the southern island of Mindanao.
Muslim rebels in camouflage uniforms and armed with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers guarded the bungalow where Kenney met with Murad.
The MILF was concerned U.S. troops would conduct combat training close to MILF bases, which could provoke commanders already frustrated that long-running peace talks with Manila remain deadlocked.
But soldiers will only hold humanitarian missions such as medical aid and building schools and bridges in Mindanao and conduct training and war games in northern Philippines.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I’m surprised they even talked to her.
who? the MILF?(snicker)
I can see how that could be a problem.
OK, the MILF’s maybe.... but I draw the line at throwing in with the COUGARS.
I'm going to need a picture.
Can someone explain to me why we are saying anything to Islamic Rebels other than that they can go straight to hell?
Typical... The only thing we should tell the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is that we’re going to defoliate their hiding place and mow them down with chain guns if they don’t give up NOW.
Yup. Shoot every Islamic POS encountered everywhere in the world.
Shouldn’t our Ambassador be talking to, say, the Phillipine gevernment??? And let THEM talk to the MFs?
whoops
Good question. Another:
Why does this seem like we’re kissing mudslime @$$ instead of KICKING IT!
Unless, of course, that IS the plan. I sure hope so.
Old Black Jack Pershing - HE knew how to handle these savages.
WTF?
They’re on their way to a swordfight it seems..
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