Norwegian peace mediator in Philippines to jumpstart talks with leftist rebels

A Norwegian government mediator is in the Philippines to seek the possible resumption of talks between the Philippine government and leftist Communist rebels, a senior official said Monday.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Annabelle Abaya said she has already informed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that the mediator, whose name is not disclosed, from the Royal Norwegian government is looking for a way to open the talks.

Norwegian-brokered peace talks were stalled in 2004 after the Philippine government refused to remove the Communist Party of the Philippines, and its armed wing-- the New People's Army -- from the terrorist organization lists of the United States and European Union. Both sides repeatedly blamed the other side of scuttling the talks for lack of sincerity.

The leftist insurgent movement now has fewer than 5,000 armed members, according to military estimates. A final peace agreement is expected to end more than 40 years of armed communist rebellion in the country.

Source: Xinhua