larryberry wrote:

QUOTE:
As an interested observer to the Philippines and its problems with the MLF and other disinfranchised Muslims in Mindano I wonder if we could talk about the best way to end this violence and senseless killings on BOTH sides. I think GMA has to try to establish some sort of dialog with these people and make them feel like they are part of the political process. Leaders of the military have to establish a cease fire and have outside people like the Malasians observe that neither side violates it. Then the goverment should try to seriously make the Muslims a part of the Philippines economy by investing in the infrastructure of that region and bringing Muslims into the govermant so they are well represented at the hogher levels of goverment. So what are other options that might work? Any and all comments are appreciated even if someone says " your a foreigner and don't understand the situation here" Maybe I don't but I just want the bloodshed to stop.

larryberyy,

please excuse me because i may need to disagree with your points here. I think there might be a confusion and that terrorism is always associated with the Muslim religion.

In Singapore, the Muslims express their total disgrace for terrorism. They also know that the people behind these terrorist attacks are hiding behind the guise of holy wars to spread fear around the world.

In that same perspective, I guess the MLF you are referring to is not the same MLF group 10-15 years ago who is mainly fighting for autonomy. I guess you know that there factions or groups within this group are more inline with terrorism rather than just requesting for autonomy. They are being funded by Al-Queda (which does not really fight holy war) -- what do you think the Al-Qaeda have to do with Muslims in the Philippines fighting for their autonomy, what stake do they have with it?

I think we all are getting confused because the media always associates the AL-Qaeda with the MLF, which I think is totally unfounded..

when Singapore fought for autonomy from Malaysia, they did not have to ask for support from the Al- Qaeda did'nt they?

I hope you get the point. Our domestic issue (Muslims requesting for autonomy) is only a small dot in the whole issue of terrorism around the world. Its totally overrated and being taken advantage of not only by Al Qaeda but also by America.

It is sad to say thought, that despite the fact that there are a lot of nice American citizens, America is the largets supplier of weapons, and they guise this in the form of aids. Aids which in the future they would ask for pay back in other forms.

They are playing fire with fire. Putting SOuth and North Korea at war with each other in the same way it has put Iran and Irag at war with each other, so they can supply arms to both sides.

Isn't it the same story being repeated here??



T<br><br>Post edited by: Lanie, at: 2007/09/04 17:49