NOORDWIJK – Officials of the embassy of Norway warmly welcomed here delegates of the government and representatives of the CPP-NPA-NDF for the fourth round of talks set to start today meant to address the root causes of the armed conflict.
Norway is the third party facilitator of the talks since 2001. The Norwegian peacemakers are led by Ambassador Elizabeth Slattum. Both parties are expected to discuss the draft Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER), considered as the heart and soul of the peace negotiations.
The parties will also attempt to hammer out the finer points of a ceasefire agreement to be undertaken jointly by the government and the CPP-NPA-NDF.
To underscore his sincerity, President Duterte has ordered fast tracking of all government programs and projects to address the root causes of the discontent regardless of the pace and status of the peace talks.
Admittedly, development programs and projects can be implemented faster if the danger to workers and the community is removed by a ceasefire.
The government delegation is led by Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza and Chief Negotiator Secretary Silvestre Bello III while the rebel group is represented by NDF chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili and NDF chief political consultant Jose Ma. Sison. Among the top level delegates of the CPP/NPA/NDF are the couple Benito and Wilma Tiamzon as well as Luis Jalandoni.
Former DAR Secretary Hernani Braganza supervises the CASER Committee for the government panel. Other panel members are former COMELEC Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, Atty. Angela Trinidad and Atty. Antonio Arellano.
The talks are slated from April 2-6, 2017 at Radisson Blue Palace Hotel here, about 35 minutes from Amsterdam.
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