International   

Norwegian peace envoy meets Arroyo

MANILA June 7. The Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister, Vidar Helgesen, met on Saturday with Philippine President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, to discuss a possible resumption of stalled peace talks with communist rebels brokered by Norway, officials said.

``We will do our best and see what can be done,'' a presidential palace statement quoted Ms. Arroyo as telling Mr. Helgesen. ``We need to work with both parties if this is to move forward,'' Mr. Helgesen said. ``It will not be easy but we will work closely with the Filipino people.''

On Friday, Mr. Helgesen met with Foreign Secretary, Blas Ople, who welcomed Norway's ``commitment to the success of our peace process,'' a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. Norway's top peace broker also held separate meetings with the Vice-President, Teofisto Guingona, the Defence Secretary, Angelo Reyes, members of the government peace panel and other officials.

He also held talks on Saturday with left-wing Congressman, Satur Ocampo, and representatives of human rights groups and other peace advocates. ``He is trying as much as possible to elicit opinions, views, recommendations on how to push the peace process which the Norwegian government is committed to facilitate,'' said Mr. Ocampo.

The Government suspended peace talks which were held in Oslo in June 2001 after guerrillas killed a former congressman and an intelligence officer. The rebels defended the attack as punishment for his alleged human rights violations during the government of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

— AP

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Entertainment | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Six peacekeepers killed in suicide attack on Kabul bus
• Hamas urged not to torpedo peace
• Razali on mission to seek Suu Kyi's release
• Pak. to restore air links with India: Kasuri
• Japan passes laws to counter armed attack
• Pak. to seek extension of sea exclusive zone
• 'U.S. should stop n-proliferation by allies'
• Japan, S. Korea make common cause on n-issue
• Criticism of Left causes uproar at Hindi meet
• Labour MPs move against 'atrocities' on Dalits
• Pope's call for reconciliation
• Fresh clashes in Congo
• Defence outlay unchanged in Pak. budget
• Norwegian peace envoy meets Arroyo

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu