22 May 2003
Text: USAID Helps Former Guerilla Fighters Rejoin Philippine Society
(USAID signs Memorandum of Intent to continue program) (340)
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has signed a
Memorandum of Intent with the Philippines to continue a program that
helps former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) soldiers
reintegrate into local communities.
Following is the text of the announcement, as released by USAID May
22:
(begin text)
USAID Signs Memorandum of Intent with the Philippines
USAID-Funded Program Will Assist Former Combatants in Reintegrating
Into Society
Washington, DC - Andrew S. Natsios, Administrator for the U.S. Agency
for International Development (USAID) and Blas Ople, Secretary of
Foreign Affairs for the Philippines, today signed a Memorandum of
Intent (MOI) which continues a partnership that provides the incentive
and resources to retrain Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
soldiers and guide them back into local communities through livelihood
and community improvement programs. The MOI was officially signed in a
ceremony at the Blair House in Washington.
Since 1999, USAID has provided resources that have enabled 13,000 of
the total 25,000 MNLF former combatants to peacefully re-enter their
communities. USAID intends to provide up to $11,500,000 in direct
support to the remaining 12,000 former MNLF combatants. In addition,
USAID will give up to $21,310,000 more in broader assistance to the
health, environment, economic and agricultural development sectors in
Mindanao.
"We celebrate with our partners in Mindanao their progress in helping
so many former soldiers to make the transition from being guerilla
fighters to becoming productive farmers and fishermen. We are
optimistic that the continued investment we're agreeing upon today
will encourage all former MNLF combatants to choose peace over war,"
said Administrator Natsios.
USAID's assistance in Mindanao expands a comprehensive program
providing support for commercial-level production of corn, rice,
seaweed, and includes training, technical support and marketing
assistance. This community level assistance strengthens government
administration of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. USAID
health, education and small infrastructure improvement activities
reach out to the communities and families of the MNLF former
combatants.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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