Peace talks postponed
The National Democratic Front has announced the postponement of the fourth round of peace negotiations which was set to take place from August 24 to 30 in Oslo, Norway.
The deferment was due to the Arroyo regime's failure to carry out its obligations from the first and second round of talks on February 14 and April 3.
These obligations included taking decisive steps to have Comrade Jose Maria Sison, the New People's Army (NPA) and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) dropped from the US "terrorist" listing; releasing political prisoners; and immediately indemnifying victims of human rights violations under the Marcos dictatorship.
The US announced on August 15 that it was retaining Comrade Sison, the NPA and the CPP in its terrorist list.
With two of its allied organizations and its senior political consultant continuously regarded as "terrorists," the NDFP will always be in a precarious position. The reactionary military will likewise continue to invoke this listing to launch violent military campaigns against the people and the revolutionary movement.
The NDFP is prepared to postpone the peace negotiations to give the Arroyo regime the opportunity to carry out its obligations.
Should the regime continue to refuse to do so, Comrade Sison has suggested that the NDFP be open to the possible suspension or collapse of the peace talks.
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