MALAYSIA TO CONSIDER REMAINING IN IMT WHEN THERE IS PROGRESS ON MINDANAO

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is prepared to consider future
participation in the International Monitoring Team (IMT) if there is progress in
the peace process and a formal request is made by both the peace panels of the
Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

In a statement here Thursday, Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim said Malaysia
is suspending its participation in the IMT upon expiry of its mandate as
scheduled on Nov 30.

On Aug 28, Malaysia agreed to continue its IMT duties in Mindanao while
waiting for the Philippines Supreme Court's decision on the signing of an
agreement between the Philippines government and the MILF.

The agreement that was supposed to have been signed on Aug 5 was put off
following a legal dispute in Manila.

Since then several terrorist incidents happened in the southern region of
the Philippines as the IMT prepared to leave the region.

"Malaysia remains supportive of the peace process and hope that the two
sides opt for dialogue and negotiations in bringing about a peaceful solution in
Mindanao," Rais said.

The IMT helmed by Malaysia has been in Mindanao since 2004 and is made up
of
41 Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysian Police officers, supported by 10
army officers from Brunei, five from Libya and the team has been expanded to
have personnel from Canada and Japan.
-- BERNAMA