China Addresses Rising Korean Tensions Lee Jin-Man/Associated Press
Smoke is seen rising from North Korean territory on Friday, after an explosion was heard and seen from South Korea’s Yeonpyeong island.
By IAN JOHNSON and MARTIN FACKLER Published: November 26, 2010
BEIJING — China engaged in a flurry of diplomatic activity on Friday, three days after a North Korean artillery attack on South Korean civilians, but its most public message was directed at the United States, which is about to begin joint exercises with South Korea’s Navy.
A North Korean navy ship off a North Korean village on Friday, seen from South Korea.
In a statement from its Foreign Ministry, China warned against “any military acts in our exclusive economic zone without permission,” the state-run Xinhua news agency reported Friday. But virtually all the waters to the west of the Korean Peninsula, where the United States said the exercises would take place, lie within that zone, and American naval traffic is far from uncommon there.
Adding yet more tension to the situation, the North’s state-run media also warned that the maneuvers could push the Korean Peninsula closer to “the brink of war.”
The West has hoped that China would use its leverage as the North’s traditional ally to press it to refrain from further attacks, but the Chinese statement on Friday failed even to criticize the North for its shelling on Tuesday of a garrison island that is also home to about 1,600 civilians, mainly fishermen. The attack killed four people. .. INSERT video ..
The Chinese foreign minister, Yang Jiechi, met with the North Korean ambassador on Friday and spoke by phone with his South Korean and American counterparts, but few details emerged about the content of their conversations. A State Department spokesman said that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had called Mr. Yang.
Xinhua reported that Mr. Yang stressed that China was “very concerned” about the situation, saying, “The pressing task now is to put the situation under control and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.”
In a statement about the joint naval exercises, which are scheduled to begin on Sunday, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, said: “We hold a consistent and clear-cut stance on the issue. We oppose any party to take any military acts in our exclusive economic zone without permission.”
This introduced into the mix China’s decade-old efforts to equate economic waters, which usually extend about 200 nautical miles off a country’s coast, with territorial waters, which usually reach about 12 nautical miles off a coast. In 2001, Chinese fighters intercepted and collided with a United States spy plane flying outside territorial waters but inside the economic zone, saying the American plane had violated China’s sovereignty.
A statement from the United States Navy’s Seventh Fleet, issued in apparent anticipation of Chinese complaints about the exercise, listed the number of times American aircraft carriers had operated in the waters west of the Korean Peninsula, including a mission in October 2009. The statement also noted that American aircraft carriers frequently visited South Korea and conducted port visits, including the aircraft carrier George Washington earlier this year, the John C. Stennis in March 2009, and the Ronald Reagan, the Nimitz and the George Washington in 2008.
The United States, which had already sent the George Washington to the region in response to the North Korean attack, made another show of solidarity with the South on Friday; the commander of American forces in South Korea, Gen. Walter L. Sharp, visited Yeonpyeong Island to survey the damage from the hourlong bombardment on Tuesday, which killed two civilians and two South Korean marines.
But North Korea remained defiant, firing off artillery rounds right after the general’s visit. The rounds did not fall on South Korean territory, but rattled nerves on the island nonetheless.
A spokesman for the South Korean Defense Ministry, Kwon Ki-hyeon, said the shots appeared to stay within North Korean territory, suggesting that they had been part of a drill or perhaps an effort to frighten the South Korean garrison on the island, which lies within sight of the North Korean mainland.
News flashes about the new artillery fire set off a brief wave of alarm in Seoul, where Tuesday’s attack has stirred anxiety and outrage. Local television there has been inundated with images of the damage to the island’s once tranquil fishing town, where rows of homes had collapsed or been blackened by fire.
Most of the island’s 1,600 civilian residents have fled, leaving only a few dozen mostly elderly holdouts, some of whom were shown scurrying into bomb shelters when the artillery was heard Friday. They told local TV stations that the barrage on Tuesday turned the town into a “sea of fire,” sending stunned and panicked residents running into the streets in confusion.
Video showed shattered furniture and scattered children’s toys amid the rubble, and deserted streets whose only sign of movement was a few stray dogs. While much of the town was undamaged, the attack seemed aimed at important civilian structures like a supermarket and a post office, the reports said.
The scenes of civilian destruction and of the mothers of the dead civilians wailing at their funerals have driven home the threat posed by the North to a greater extent than previous provocations, like the sinking of a South Korean warship in March, which involved only military casualties.
Many of the rounds shot by the North during the hourlong attack struck Yeonpyeong’s garrison of 1,000 South Korean marines, who are dug in around the island in concrete bunkers and machine-gun nests. Local TV showed photos taken during the barrage, in which fortified bunkers were engulfed in fireballs and pockmarked by exploding shrapnel.
The renewed shooting and stern warning by the North on Friday have raised concerns here that the North could respond violently to the naval exercises on Sunday.
American officials have been encouraging China to use its influence with North Korea to urge restraint. On Friday, Mrs. Clinton called her Chinese counterpart, Mr. Yang, American officials said. “Secretary Clinton urged China to send a clear message that the North’s behavior is unacceptable,” said the State Department’s spokesman, Philip J. Crowley.
Mr. Yang also met on Friday with the North Korean ambassador in Beijing and had telephone conversations with the South Korean foreign minister. “The pressing task now is to put the situation under control and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents,” Mr. Yang said in a statement.
North Korea represents a difficult foreign policy challenge for China. Among other things, China continues to stand by its neighbor for fear that its collapse would extend the boundaries of pro-Western South Korea to China’s borders.
“The record is very clear: China is not going to implement any measures that impose any costs on North Korea,” said Daniel Pinkston, North Asia analyst for the International Crisis Group. “What else is there left for North Korea to do? Missile tests, a nuclear program and now an artillery attack.”
The South Korean government has come under intense criticism domestically for an inadequate retaliation for the attack on Tuesday. South Korean officials said their forces were unable to fully respond because they had been trained and equipped to thwart an amphibious assault, not a prolonged artillery bombardment. Only three of the garrison’s half-dozen 155-millimeter cannons were able to shoot back, officials said.
Stung by the criticism, the South Korean president, Lee Myung-bak, ordered reinforcements to Yeonpyeong and four nearby islands, as well as more heavy weapons, and has already replaced his defense minister.
The exercise was announced over the summer without a date’s being set; that announcement was expected around now. But after North Korea shelled the island, President Obama announced the date, making it a sign of Washington’s resolve to support its ally in Seoul.
In its final form, the joint exercise will take the same shape as had been planned since the summer, according to military officers, and has not been altered by the North Korean attack.
Starting on Sunday, the George Washington, which makes its home port in Yokosuka, Japan, and sails with a complete wing of combat aircraft, will lead four other American surface warships in the exercise with the South Korean Navy.
Ian Johnson reported from Beijing, and Martin Fackler from Seoul, South Korea. Su-Hyun Lee contributed reporting from Seoul, and Mark Landler and Thom Shanker from Washington.
A version of this article appeared in print on November 27, 2010, on page A4 of the New York edition.
By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star) Updated August 02, 2011 12:00 AM .. Comments (28)
MANILA, Philippines - The killing of seven Marines in Sulu last week has driven their colleagues to be more aggressive in going after Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the troubled island province, the military said yesterday.
However, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez said the military posturing in Sulu is not an act of exacting revenge but part of the soldiers’ mandate to rid the country of terrorists.
“The military is now aggressive in running after the Abu Sayyaf not because we need to get even but because we have a mission and mandate to rid the nation of these terrorists,” Rodriguez said.
Western Command (Westmincom) spokesman Lt. Col. Randolf Cabangbang said despite the observance of the holy month of Ramadan, the troops are conducting operations against Abu Sayyaf commanders Radullan Sahiron, Isnilon Hapilon, Yasser Igasan and Dr. Abu Pula.
Cabangbang said the operations are all intelligence-driven in order to spare innocent civilians from being caught in the crossfire.
Target of the continuing operations are the terrorists who waylaid elements of the Marine Special Operations Platoon (SOP) at Barangay Panglahayan, Patikul early morning Thursday last week.
In the fighting that ensued, 26 Marines were wounded while seven others, including Marine SOP commander 2nd Lt. Michael Baladad, were outflanked and subsequently executed by the terrorists.
President Aquino awarded the Gold Cross Medals for gallantry in action to the slain Marines during their wake at the Philippine Marine Corps Auditorium in Fort Bonifacio over the weekend.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, AFP chief of staff Eduardo Oban Jr., Philippine Navy Rear Admiral Alexander Pama and Philippine Marine Corps Commandant Maj. Gen. Rustico Guerrero accompanied the President, who handed the medals to representative of the slain marines.
After the Medal of Valor, the Gold Cross Medal for gallantry in action is the second highest honor that can be bestowed upon a soldier in recognition of his or her sacrifice and efforts to uphold the law.
The seven Marines who gallantly fought the bandits were: Baladad, Sgt. Desiderio Serdan Jr., corporals Ramsel Laynesa, Claro Lapasaran III, and Freddie Castellano Jr., Private First Class Juanito Evasco Jr., and Private Nico Tinambunan.
They were promoted to the next rank.
Aside from the Gold Cross Medal, each Marine’s family will receive financial assistance, scholarships for their children, as well as housing privileges.
P-Noy: No letup in offensive
President Aquino directed the AFP leadership to step up its operations and use all its resources against the Abu Sayyaf.
He said crushing the terrorist group will be the focal point of the government through the concerted efforts of law enforcement agencies.
He stressed that a well-coordinated and comprehensive strategy with the full support of the people and government institutions at all levels will be implemented to eliminate terrorism.
The President, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and military officials led the heroes’ welcome for the fallen soldiers when their remains arrived at Villamor airbase.
Aquino and Binay personally extended their sympathies and condolences to the families of the slain soldiers and listened to their concerns.
After the ceremony, Aquino presided over a meeting with AFP officials for two hours.
He said they are waiting for the results of the investigation on the Sulu encounter to pinpoint the problems and come out with concrete solutions.
When asked if operations will continue despite the observance of Ramadan, the President said: “We will be sensitive to the concerns of our Muslim brothers but at the same time there are police operations still going on.”
Human rights still a concern
Meanwhile, a human rights advocate condemned the beheading of the five Marines, but expressed apprehension that the ongoing operations might lead to the arrest of innocent civilians.
A representative of the Mindanao Peace Caucus (MPC) issued the statement at the sideline of the press conference of the torture incident of an alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf who was apprehended by soldiers in Basilan late last month.
“We do not condone the act of the Abu Sayyaf or the rebels behind the brutal acts. We are upholding the standard that is internationally accepted,” Carlo Cleofe said when asked for their stand on the recent incident of mutilation of the soldiers.
Military to strengthen intelligence operations vs Abu Sayyaf
By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star) Updated August 03, 2011 12:00 AM .. Comments (14)
MANILA, Philippines - The military will strengthen its human intelligence operations to identify the members of the Abu Sayyaf who, after the gruesome killings of seven Marines last week, have blended in with civilians in the guise of celebrating the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Lt. Col. Randolf Cabangbang, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom), said the move is in line with the military’s resolve to put an end to the Abu Sayyaf menace in the region and in other areas where they are known to be operating.
Ground intelligence earlier showed that most of the homegrown terrorists who took part in last week’s ambush on elements of the Marines Special Operations Platoon in the outskirts of Patikul joined the local residents in celebrating Ramadan.
The attack on government forces in Barangay Panghalayan resulted in the killing of seven Marines, including their second lieutenant commander, and the wounding of 26 other Marine troopers.
The target of ongoing aggressive operations are the groups of Abu Sayyaf commanders Radullan Sahiron, Isnilon Hapilon, Dr. Abu and Yaser Igasan who are believed holed up in the villages of Patikul.
“The ongoing intelligence-driven Marine operations are concentrated mostly within the area of Patikul. We are putting in more faceless people to help our ground forces track them down,” Cabangbang said.
5 Lessons of U.S. Plan for a Permanent Military Presence in Australia
By Max Fisher .. Nov 10 2011, 11:58 AM ET 48 [Comments]
What Obama's plan to build a marine base here means for China, Japan, Afghanistan, and global politics
An Australian naval officer watches a frigate arrive in Darwin / Reuters
The U.S. has arranged with Australia to install a permanent military presence near the northern Australian town of Darwin, a move that signals shifts in President Obama's foreign policy and the U.S. vision for its role in the world. Obama will formally announce the new base with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard during his visit to Australia next week, the Sydney Morning Herald reported this morning. .. http://www.smh.com.au/national/us-marine-base-for-darwin-20111110-1n9lk.html ..
Why is the U.S., at time of economic trouble and declining military deployments abroad, creating an all-new marine base in the land that Australians call Oz? Australia is a small-ish country by any measurement except for acreage, which is actually a poor way to understand the relative strength of nations. The World Bank ranks it 15th by GDP, between South Korea and the Netherlands. It's ranked 52nd by population, less than one tenth the size of its northern neighbor, Indonesia. Its military spending is about on par with Spain.
So this is probably not about protecting Australia itself. But repositioning U.S. forces in this way reveals how Obama sees the world -- and America's place in it -- as changing. Here are five immediate lessons from the plan to build this new permanent base, something that suggests a significant change in long-term U.S. foreign policy.
(1) Yes, it's about containing China's military reach. As China rises, the U.S. is attempting to either manage or contain that rise (which you believe .. http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/07/rare-earths-discovery-wont-solve-us-china-tensions/241436/ .. depends on whether you see Chinese growth as necessarily threatening to the U.S. -- given how close U.S.-China economic ties have become, it's probably more about managing than containing). But, whatever the overall U.S. strategy on China might be, the U.S. has appeared more eager to deter China's sometimes aggressive behavior in naval disputes with its neighbors, mostly over disputed islands and shipping lanes. These small-scale conflicts, especially if they escalated, could be incredibly damaging to global trade, much of which goes through the South China Sea. A greater U.S. military presence in the region, it's hoped, will deter Chinese aggression against its neighbors .. http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2010/09/why-is-the-us-rehearsing-for-a-chinese-invasion-of-japan/63424/ .. (which become relatively weaker as China becomes stronger) and maintain stability in this increasingly important region. "Australian strategic rationale is that we are also hedging against increasing Chinese military power and their capacity to destabilise maritime trade routes," a former Australian senior defense official told the Sydney Morning Herald. Putting troops in Darwin will expand the U.S. military reach in the Pacific, and more importantly it will establish a western Pacific troop presence that is close enough to deter China but far enough away to not have to worry about Chinese missiles.
(2) U.S. focusing away from Middle East to East Asia. Obama has been saying for a while that the U.S. should shift its attention away from the Middle East and Central Asia, regions that have often suffered from U.S. involvement and where anti-Americanism persists, toward East Asia. Our clients in the greater Middle East often seem to be more trouble than they're worth. .. http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/09/the-decline-of-american-client-states/245592/#slide5 .. Meanwhile, U.S. alliances in East Asia have been reliable and profitable. So why, Obama seems to be wondering, has the U.S. been investing so much in a part of the world where its returns are so low? This move suggests Obama's administration may be turning its attention away from the Middle East -- withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan -- to set America's military emphasis in East Asia.
(3) Obama wants out of Afghanistan. Though the U.S. has tentative plans to begin withdrawing from Afghanistan, it's easy to imagine that the U.S. military will push the White House to push back that schedule (as they've done, successfully, with previous drawdown plans there and in Iraq) or at least elongate it. A number of analysts are understandably skeptical about the fuzzy withdrawal plans, which could suffer as U.S. progress slows. But this suggests that Obama is serious about ending the war in Afghanistan. After all, these new troops in Australia have to come from somewhere.
(4) U.S. concerned about tension with Japan over military base. The U.S. marine base in Okinawa has been politically controversial in Japanese politics for years. No one seems to be crazy about the idea of a few thousand foreign troops on their soil, and a handful of scandals regarding bad behavior by some marines has worsened the tension. Last year, the Japanese Prime Minister resigned after Obama pressured him to renege .. http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2010/06/6-reasons-japanese-prime-minister-hatoyama-is-resigning/24226/ .. on his promise to close the Okinawa base. It doesn't take much .. http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/06/why-do-japanese-prime-ministers-keep-resigning/239850/ .. to make a Japanese prime minister resign, but it was a sign of how much tension the base brings into U.S.-Japan relations, an alliance that both countries badly want to keep positive for economic and military reasons. There is a movement in Japan right now to relocate part the base someplace less populated, which the U.S. has resisted. But the Darwin base might take some of the pressure off Okinawa and allow the U.S. and Japan to move the base without sacrificing security interests.
(5) Could Australia be the new Saudi-style U.S. client? If the U.S. wants to build the kind of presence in East Asia that it could be closing out of the Middle East, it will need a reliable and pliant client state in the region. Japan is too powerful on its own and too independent; Indonesia might worry about a domestic backlash if it moves too close to the U.S.; South Korea is too worried about North Korea; and the nations of Southeast Asia are still not quite stable enough. But Australians are democratic, speak English, don't have ideological reasons to oppose the U.S., and could really use a powerful sponsor, especially as China becomes more dominant. "Australia is like [the Persian] Gulf, cant possibly defend itself, relies on US protection. Politically can't rock the boat, just like Gulf," Australian journalist Tom Gara wrote on Twitter. This explains why Australia has joined every single American war, including Vietnam, which even the British wouldn't touch." Australia, like the nations of the Persian Gulf, might be willing to hand its foreign policy over to the U.S. in exchange for the implicit security guarantee of a large military base.
US bases in Australia ruled out 17:08 AEST Fri Nov 11 2011
The federal government has reaffirmed plans to step up joint training and military exercises with the US but ruled out the establishment of a Marine Corps base in Australia.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and US President Barack Obama and are expected to unveil details for greater cooperation between their two countries' forces when the American leader visits next week.
The visit, which includes a speech to a joint sitting of parliament in Canberra and a brief sojourn with Australian troops in the Northern Territory, comes as the two nations mark the 60th anniversary of the ANZUS treaty.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith on Friday dismissed talk Mr Obama would announce an increased rotation of US marine forces through Darwin, a gateway to Asia, as part of a planned permanent new military presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
"There are no United States bases in Australia and no proposal for such bases," Mr Smith said in a statement.
Australia is a crucial link in the Pentagon's so-called global force posture review, which Mr Smith said will lead to an expansion of joint training and exercises in Australia.
"Our starting point is that it would be an unambiguously good thing to extend such practical cooperation arrangements," Mr Smith said.
In Hawaii, Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd urged patience, as defence experts warned that some Asian nations such as China may be concerned by news of a US base in Darwin.
"It's important that we await the president's visit before confirming any particular elements of what that defence cooperation may entail," he told reporters attending an APEC forum.
"Australia has always been transparent with all countries in the region about the importance of this alliance to us and to the broader security of the region."
Australian Greens leader Bob Brown said any proposal for a US base should be debated by parliament.
"The proposal for Darwin needs to be clearly qualified and quantified by the Gillard government," he said in a statement.
The Greens want to end foreign troop deployment, training and hosting on Australian territory.
Mr Rudd said the Greens do not direct Australia's national security or foreign policy.
"These matters are matters of fundamental national interest in which we, as the Australian government, engage in the deepest analysis and consideration," he said.
US forces have been visiting this country's shores since as far back as 1907 and using Australian facilities for 60 years.
Marines have for years been involved in rotations of up to several months at a time through Australian Defence Forces bases, including Darwin.
About two-thirds of the force is based in the Pacific, including Okinawa.
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has said his goal is to maintain a strong American presence and ensure nations in the region understand "we are there to stay".
Opposition defence spokesman David Johnston said the coalition supported enhanced US access to Australian military bases.
"The US is the bedrock of global security and a major force for stability in the Asia-Pacific region," the senator said.
Recent AUSMIN talks between Australian and US defence and foreign affairs ministers agreed to a strengthened military relationship.
200 Muslim guerrillas led by elusive chieftain in capital for Philippine peace pact signing
By Hrvoje Hranjski, Jim Gomez, The Associated Press October 14, 2012 9:30 PM - Photos ( 2 )
Filipino Muslim girls flash the peace sign during a rally in support of a preliminary peace agreement between the government and the nation's largest Muslim rebel group outside the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday Oct. 14, 2012. About 200 Muslim rebels led by their elusive chief arrived in the Philippine capital on Sunday for the signing of a preliminary peace pact aimed at ending one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
~~~~~~~~ .. insert 2nd photo ..
Filipino Muslim men and supporters march as they join a rally in support of a preliminary peace agreement between the government and the nation's largest Muslim rebel group outside the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday Oct. 14, 2012. About 200 Muslim rebels led by their elusive chief arrived in the Philippine capital on Sunday for the signing of a preliminary peace pact aimed at ending one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) ~~~~~~~~
MANILA, Philippines - Worn down by decades of fighting and failed peace agreements, Muslim rebel leaders were euphoric but cautious Monday before they sign a preliminary peace pact with the Philippine government aimed at ending one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies.
The agreement is the first major step toward a final settlement that grants minority Muslims in the southern Philippines broad autonomy in exchange for ending the violence that has killed tens of thousands of people and crippled development. Many of the rebel leaders interviewed said a lot of work lies ahead in convincing Filipino Muslims to accept a new administrative region.
A product of 15 years of negotiations facilitated by neighbouring Malaysia, which wants stability on its doorstep, the agreement sets in motion a roadmap to a final document that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III's government plan to clinch before his six-year terms ends in 2016.
The signing will be witnessed by Aquino, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and rebel chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, who will set foot for the first time in Manila's Malacanang presidential palace, where officials prepared a red-carpet welcome.
"That first step alone signifies a giant leap in the relations between the two sides," said the presidential adviser for the peace process, Teresita Deles.
Michael Mastura, a member of the rebel negotiating team, likened Monday's agreement to a takeoff. "But then we have to fly, reach a plateau, and move on."
Sonny Davao, deputy chief of the rebel army, said guerrilla commanders were ready to shift from armed struggle to helping build a new Muslim-administered region.
"We have to transform ourselves because we have responsibilities and obligations to our people and to Islam," said Davao, who shed his camouflage uniform for a dark coat with tie for the signing ceremony. "We are one in supporting the decision of our entire leadership."
Murad has seldom appeared in public in past years. Aquino met Murad secretly in Tokyo for the first time last year to underscore their commitment to settle the rebellion.
About 300 Muslims from Manila and southern provinces held a noisy rally outside the palace on Sunday in support of the preliminary accord, yelling "Allahu Akbar," or "God is great." They called for more development in the resource-rich but impoverished southern Mindanao region, the homeland of minority Muslims in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.
Security has been tightened in the capital, although no disruptions were expected.
The agreement is to be signed by government negotiator Marvic Leonen and his rebel counterpart, Mohagher Iqbal. It outlines general agreements on major issues, including the extent of power, revenues and territory of a new Muslim autonomous region to be called Bangsamoro.
It calls for the establishment of a 15-member Transition Commission to draft a law creating the new Muslim-administered region. Rebel forces will be deactivated gradually "beyond use," the agreement says, without specifying a timetable.
The deal is the most significant progress in years of tough bargaining with the 11,000-strong Moro group to end an uprising that has left more than 120,000 people dead and displaced about 2 million others. Western governments have worried over the presence of small numbers of al-Qaida-linked militants from the Middle East and Southeast Asia seeking combat training and collaboration with the Filipino insurgents.
One of those extremist groups, the Abu Sayyaf, is not part of any negotiations, but the hope is that the peace agreement will isolate its militants and deny them sanctuary and logistical support they had previously received from rebel commanders.
One of those hardline commanders, Ameril Umbra Kato, broke off from the main Moro insurgents last year. Kato's forces attacked the army in August, prompting an offensive that killed more than 50 fighters in the 200-strong rebel faction.
Abu Misri Mammah, a spokesman for Kato's forces, said Sunday that his group does not recognize the peace accord.
"That's a surrender," he said. "We won't waver from our armed struggle and continue to aspire for a separate Muslim homeland that won't be a creation of politicians."
Mastura said that rebel leaders have to forge a strong peace deal that could withstand any opposition.
"It is easy, just gather a few men and disturb, because there are many firearms around. But that's not the mainstream line," Mastura said. "That is why we have to show that this is the way rather than their way."
The new Muslim region is to include an existing autonomous territory made of five of the country's poorest and most violent provinces. The Moro rebels earlier dropped a demand for a separate Muslim state and renounced terrorism.
Iqbal has said his group would not lay down its weapons until a final peace accord is concluded. He said the insurgents could form a political party and run in democratic elections to get a chance at leading the autonomous region. ___
Associated Press writer Oliver Teves contributed to this report.
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