PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

CPP welcomes Norway peace efforts, asks Arroyo to turn its back on US anti-peace policies
June 10, 2003

The Communist Party of the Philippines today expressed appreciation and welcome the offer of the government of Norway to "step up" its inputs towards promoting peace talks between the National Democratic Front and the Arroyo government but said the latter's "blind kowtowing to the US's so-called war against terrorism and anti-peace policies" is hindering peace efforts.

Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal, CPP spokesman today said that the revolutionary forces are always ready to engage in peace negotiations with any government that is willing to seriously root out and resolve the issues behind the current civil war in the Philippines.

Rosal pointed out, however, that US military intervention in the Philippines and the Arroyo government's all-out war policy towards the revolutionary forces "pose giant roadblocks." During the visit to Malaca�ang last June 7 by Norwegian State Secretary Vidar Helgesen, Arroyo denied that her governement was instituting "full military solution" against the revolutionary forces.

"US imperialism and the militarists in the cabinet do not want the Arroyo government to engage in peace talks as this actually contravenes the Bush government's militarist policies despite its lip service about peace," Rosal said.

Rosal asserted that "the thrust of the Bush government is to scuttle peace talks to pave the way for its outright military intervention against the revolutionary forces in the Philippines."

Rosal urged the Norwegian government "as part of the 'stepping up' of its inputs" to convince the Arroyo government to carry-out measures that would create an "appropriate atmosphere for peace talks."

Rosal said, "first of all, the Arroyo government should turn its back from the Bush policy of scuttling the peace talks."

Rosal stressed that the Arroyo government should undo its US-primed campaign among European countries to have the CPP, NPA and Jose Ma. Sison categorized as "terrorists" and scrap the "final peace agreement" unilaterally prepared by Malaca�ang. Rosal said the latter "is not worthy as a subject matter for peace talks as it is nothing but an agreement for surrender deserving only the trash can."

Rosal further suggested that the Norweigian government call on the Arroyo regime to respect and implement the 10 agreements which have been previously signed by the principals of the GRP and the NDFP.

"The Philippine government's willingness to discuss peace will always be measured by its readiness to uphold the provisions set out by The Hague Declaration of 1992 as well as the other agreements," Rosal said. The Hague Declaration was an agreement signed by then Philippine President Fidel Ramos and the NDFP which set forth the agenda and conduct of peace talks. ###

Reference:
Anne Buenaventura
Media Officer
Cellphone Number: +63910-240-3553



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