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Japan

Jun 2, 2005

Japan releases development funds to Mindanao

CAMP DARAPANAN, Maguindanao - Japan has already released US$160 million of the $400 million support package it pledged to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as part of its assistance for the peace and development of Mindanao.

This was announced by the Japanese Embassy's political adviser, Taeko Takahashi, during her visit here as one of the special guests during the three-day general assembly of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Takahashi assured the MILF of Japan's full support if they remain committed to the Philippine government's peace initiatives in Mindanao.

Exploratory peace talks are currently being held between the government in Manila and the MILF to end more than three decades of fighting in the southern Philippines.

In her speech, Takahashi cited peace as a crucial factor before development can begin. She also said that the Philippines is one of Japan's most important neighboring countries.

"This is the reason why our prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi, announced about a $400 million support package for peace and development when he met Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during a state visit in Tokyo in 2002," Takahashi said.

Japan has been the top official development assistance donor for more than two decades in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao.

"I am very glad to say that Japan has already completed around 40% of its $400 million support package and approved approximately $38 million worth of additional assistance," Takahashi said.

The added assistance, she noted, would be utilized to develop policy formulation for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as well as improve agriculture, health, potable water supplies, education and peace building measures.

"Any foreign assistance should bear concrete fruit. We need to have the strong determination for lasting peace and sustainable development on the part of the people ... I'm happy that it exists here," Takahashi said before a large crowd gathered for the MILF general assembly.

Fighting between government forces and MILF rebels has dramatically waned since 2003, after the forging of a bilateral truce to pave the way for formal peace negotiations.

(Asia Pulse/PNA)

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